Donald Trump says he wouldn't stop Federal Chair Powell if he offered to resign
Donald Trump
USPresident Donald Trump sharply criticized Federal Reserve Chairman JeromePowellon Friday and said he wouldn't try to stop the chief US central banker if he offered toresign.
Trump, departing the White House to travel to the G7 summit in France, told reporters, "I'm not happy with JayPowell."
His comments continued a war of words againstPowellthat, along with retaliatory tariffs imposed on US goods by China, helped trigger a sharp drop on Friday in the US stock market.
"I don't think he's doing a good job at all," Trump told reporters as he left the White House shortly before midnight on Friday.
"I don't think he's much of a chess player, but I've got him so, you know, that's what I have," added the president, who earlier questioned on Twitter who was "our bigger enemy,"Powellor Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Asked if he wantedPowelltoresign, Trump replied: "Do I want him toresign? Let me put it this way if he did I wouldn't stop him."
Powellwas in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Friday for a meeting with other central bankers.
He said the Fed would "act as appropriate" to keep the US economy healthy in a deteriorating global economy but stopped short of committing to a series of rate cuts sought by Trump.