Trump criticises US central bank's interest rate rises

President Donald Trump named Jerome Powell to head the Fed last year

President Donald Trump has said he is "not happy" about the fact that the US Federal Reserve is raising interest rates.

The comments raised eyebrows in the US, where presidents are expected to avoid criticism of the central bank in deference to its independence.

Mr Trump argued that higher rates put the US at a disadvantage and impede faster growth.

However, he added that he is "letting them do what they think is best".

The Fed has raised interest rates twice already this year.

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome "Jay" Powell, who was appointed by Mr Trump earlier this year, said this week that policymakers remain committed to further, gradual increases.

The Fed is responding to a recent uptick in inflation that economists attribute in part to a mix of increased government spending, tax cuts and new tariffs.

The rate rises, which make borrowing more expensive, are intended to head off uncontrolled price rises as the US economy expands.

If the Fed moves too aggressively, however, it could curb economic activity so severely that it helps to provoke a recession.

'Not thrilled'

Mr Trump said increased rates had resulted in a stronger dollar which put the US at a disadvantage compared with places where central banks are holding interest rates steady.

"I'm not thrilled," he said in the interview with US business network CNBC. "Because we go up and every time you go up, they want to raise rates again. I don't really - I am not happy about it. But at the same time I'm letting them do what they feel is best."

The dollar index, which measures the dollar against a basket of currencies, fell about 0.1% after the remarks became public. It later regained much of that ground.

Mr Trump has said before that he favours low interest rates, and dismissed concerns about his interference.

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"Now I'm just saying the same thing that I would have said as a private citizen," he said, according to CNBC.

"So somebody would say, 'Oh, maybe you shouldn't say that as president.' I couldn't care less what they say, because my views haven't changed."