Tariffs, debt, and a stubborn Fed are squeezing consumers

Good morning. How are you feeling about the U.S. economy? Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh said yesterday that the Fed wants to see an annual U.S. inflation rate of 2%. It’s now running at 3.5%. And yet the Fed left interest rates unchanged, a decision that prompted dissenting votes from three regional presidents who want to raise rates. “It was a real family fight,” he said. “That’s the way to get policy right.” The trajectory of that policy is unclear as Warsh, unlike his predecessor, isn’t one to give forward guidance. Some takeaways: Rates are more likely to go up than down. Energy prices are high. Housing prices are high. Tariffs added about $1,000 in costs to the average U.S. household last year and could add almost as much this year. There’s a mix of trends in this economy. If l