TOPIC

/ people

Jerome Powell

Jerome Powell: Known for his leadership as the current Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, a role he has held since 2018. He oversees monetary policy, aiming for maximum employment and price stability, and guided the Fed’s extensive intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic. His background includes significant experience in investment banking, notably as a partner at The Carlyle Group, and public service as an Under Secretary at the US Treasury. He previously served on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors from 2012. Powell, a lawyer by training, is recognised for his consensus-building approach and expertise in financial markets and fiscal policy.

Yuan

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

30 Mar 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

Hong Kong stock market

Recession fears grip markets as energy facilities under fire in Middle East

19 Mar 2026 - 7:30PM

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong, mainland China stocks tumble as oil shock revives recession worries

19 Mar 2026 - 5:10PM

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

HKMA warns of interest rate uncertainty amid Middle East conflict

HKMA leaves city’s base rate untouched at 4 per cent, as HSBC, Standard Chartered and BOCHK keep prime lending and saving rates unchanged.

19 Mar 2026 - 5:19PM

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority maintained the city’s base rate at 4 per cent on Thursday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

United States

Trump administration urges judge to revisit ruling blocking Powell subpoenas

A federal judge had ruled on Friday that a DOJ investigation into Powell was intended to pressure the Fed chairman to lower interest ‌rates.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:13AM

United States

Judge quashes subpoenas of Fed chair, says probe was ‘politically motivated’

A ‘mountain of evidence’ suggests the subpoenas were to pressure Jerome Powell to obey Trump’s demands to cut interest rates, the judge says.

14 Mar 2026 - 4:17AMvideocam

China stock market

Trump’s Fed pick Warsh stokes uncertainty as investors weigh his policy shifts

US Treasuries have been falling recently, partially reflecting investor concerns that Warsh’s succession will slow rate reductions.

8 Mar 2026 - 9:30AM

Former US Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh speaks during a monetary policy conference at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution in Palo Alto, California, May 9, 2025. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

US seeks fair China competition, looks to realign Latin America ties

Scott Bessent says Washington wants to reduce security risks without decoupling from Beijing as it steps up engagement across Latin America.

11 Feb 2026 - 6:16AMvideocam

Banking & finance

Macroscope | Trump-Takaichi meddling in finance spells more turbulence ahead

The two leaders’ moves into economics despite their lack of knowledge threaten to further destabilise global finance and inflate debt levels.

7 Feb 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’

Investors are also looking to buy more silver despite the recent rush of funds towards the US dollar, analysts say.

6 Feb 2026 - 5:07PM

The outlook for gold remains strong in Asia due to its reputation as a safe haven investment. Photo: Shutterstock

Banking & finance

‘America First’ Fed? Why China economists doubt Trump’s pick can boost US dollar

Kevin Warsh unlikely to deliver long-term rebound while central bank independence still at risk, analysts say.

2 Feb 2026 - 7:00PM

Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee for Fed chair, speaks during the Sohn Investment Conference in New York City, in 2017. Photo: Reuters

United States

Trump picks former Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh to chair US central bank

The nomination comes as economic issues – from tariffs to affordability – dominate the policy agenda ahead of the November midterm elections.

31 Jan 2026 - 6:29AMvideocam

US Federal Reserve

Before Trump’s Fed pick, a new clear favourite emerges for chair

Betting markets show shiny odds for a former governor, with a prominent asset manager trailing a distant second as the announcement looms.

30 Jan 2026 - 7:14PM

Interest rates

HKMA warns of risks as Hong Kong follows Fed in keeping interest rate unchanged

Analysts see the first US rate cut in June, with a falling Hong Kong interbank rate set to bring relief to borrowers.

29 Jan 2026 - 12:54PM

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority kept its base rate unchanged at 4 per cent on Thursday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

United States

US Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, defying Trump pressure

The US president had been pushing for cuts at the central bank’s first policy gathering this year.

29 Jan 2026 - 3:33AMvideocam

A view of the US Federal Reserve building in Washington on Monday. Photo: AFP

Banking & finance

Trump says the US dollar can move like a yo-yo. Will Treasuries be left hanging?

With the US president levelling threats at enemies, allies and his own central bank, alternatives like gold and Chinese assets are gaining appeal.

28 Jan 2026 - 11:18AMvideocam

US-China trade war

‘Not sustainable’: China central bank adviser flags US debt risk

As concerns mount over America’s ballooning debt, one of Beijing’s economic advisers warns fiscal discipline may not be on cards.

22 Jan 2026 - 12:00PM

Japan

Japan’s conservatives turn sour on Trump as ‘fears of abandonment’ deepen

Right-wing media outlets and politicians are now concerned that Trump’s second term will harm Japan’s trade and security interests.

22 Jan 2026 - 6:17PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (left) and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on board the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the Japanese city of Yokosuka in October. Photo: AFP

United States

Macroscope | Multilateral institutions’ critique of Trump’s actions is too muted

US funding of multinational bodies seems to be keeping their critique muted. The power of the purse should not ensure immunity from criticism.

17 Jan 2026 - 5:07PMvideocam

US-China relations

China dumps more US debt, buys other assets as Trump targets Powell

Beijing’s Treasury holdings hit a September 2008 low, and analysts point to fears over Fed independence and debt sustainability, while gold’s appeal rises.

16 Jan 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

United States

Macroscope | Investors are giving Trump a free pass

Markets, especially bond markets, are meant to be a disciplining force. Their inaction will only embolden Trump to act more recklessly.

15 Jan 2026 - 5:10PMvideocam

A video of US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell plays on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on January 12. Powell has rejected the Trump administration’s claims of wrongdoing against him, calling them a pretext for punishing him for not cutting interest rates as fast as US President Donald Trump desired. Photo: AP

New Zealand

New Zealand central bank chief scolded for poking nose in Trump-Fed feud

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters reminded Anna Breman to ‘stick to domestic monetary policy’.

14 Jan 2026 - 4:10PMvideocam

New Zealand central bank chief Anna Breman. Photo: Reuters

China stock market

UBS projects rosy view of Chinese stocks in 2026 as investors diversify holdings

‘Chinese assets’ appeal will further increase this year because of a sharpened focus on diversified investments,’ UBS’ Thomas Fang says.

13 Jan 2026 - 3:56PM

Donald Trump

Trump-Powell conflict over Fed escalates with threat of criminal indictment

Jerome Powell calls legal threats against him pretexts to pressure the US Fed over policy.

12 Jan 2026 - 2:50PMvideocam

Interest rates

Hong Kong interbank rates forecast to drop on expected 2026 US monetary easing

Savings rates near zero prevent further prime rate reductions, though Hibor-linked loans will get cheaper, analysts say.

2 Jan 2026 - 7:00AM

Analysts agree that lower US rates in 2026 would drive down Hibor – benefiting borrowers with Hibor-linked mortgages and corporate loans. Photo: Shutterstock

US Federal Reserve

Trump says preferred Fed pick is ready, again teases firing Powell

US president urges Jerome Powell to resign as he considers a ‘gross incompetence’ lawsuit against the Fed leader.

30 Dec 2025 - 4:38PM

US President Donald ‍Trump has renewed his threat ⁠to bring a lawsuit against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Photo: Reuters

Yuan

China sets yuan fixing rate at 15-month high amid offshore gains

The move follows offshore yuan briefly breaching seven-per-US-dollar mark, with analysts citing dollar weakness, seasonal factors for rally.

29 Dec 2025 - 1:00PM

Banking & finance

Editorial | Hong Kong must find new growth areas amid uncertain US monetary policy

Divisive US Federal Reserve interest rate cut underscores why the city should not look too much to American interest rate cuts to bolster the economy.

13 Dec 2025 - 6:45AM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Jerome Powell

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

Recession fears grip markets as energy facilities under fire in Middle East

Hong Kong, mainland China stocks tumble as oil shock revives recession worries

HKMA warns of interest rate uncertainty amid Middle East conflict

HKMA leaves city’s base rate untouched at 4 per cent, as HSBC, Standard Chartered and BOCHK keep prime lending and saving rates unchanged.

Trump administration urges judge to revisit ruling blocking Powell subpoenas

A federal judge had ruled on Friday that a DOJ investigation into Powell was intended to pressure the Fed chairman to lower interest ‌rates.

Judge quashes subpoenas of Fed chair, says probe was ‘politically motivated’

A ‘mountain of evidence’ suggests the subpoenas were to pressure Jerome Powell to obey Trump’s demands to cut interest rates, the judge says.

Trump’s Fed pick Warsh stokes uncertainty as investors weigh his policy shifts

US Treasuries have been falling recently, partially reflecting investor concerns that Warsh’s succession will slow rate reductions.

US seeks fair China competition, looks to realign Latin America ties

Scott Bessent says Washington wants to reduce security risks without decoupling from Beijing as it steps up engagement across Latin America.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Macroscope | Trump-Takaichi meddling in finance spells more turbulence ahead

The two leaders’ moves into economics despite their lack of knowledge threaten to further destabilise global finance and inflate debt levels.

Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’

Investors are also looking to buy more silver despite the recent rush of funds towards the US dollar, analysts say.

‘America First’ Fed? Why China economists doubt Trump’s pick can boost US dollar

Kevin Warsh unlikely to deliver long-term rebound while central bank independence still at risk, analysts say.

Trump picks former Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh to chair US central bank

The nomination comes as economic issues – from tariffs to affordability – dominate the policy agenda ahead of the November midterm elections.

Before Trump’s Fed pick, a new clear favourite emerges for chair

Betting markets show shiny odds for a former governor, with a prominent asset manager trailing a distant second as the announcement looms.

HKMA warns of risks as Hong Kong follows Fed in keeping interest rate unchanged

Analysts see the first US rate cut in June, with a falling Hong Kong interbank rate set to bring relief to borrowers.

US Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, defying Trump pressure

The US president had been pushing for cuts at the central bank’s first policy gathering this year.

Trump says the US dollar can move like a yo-yo. Will Treasuries be left hanging?

With the US president levelling threats at enemies, allies and his own central bank, alternatives like gold and Chinese assets are gaining appeal.

‘Not sustainable’: China central bank adviser flags US debt risk

As concerns mount over America’s ballooning debt, one of Beijing’s economic advisers warns fiscal discipline may not be on cards.

Japan’s conservatives turn sour on Trump as ‘fears of abandonment’ deepen

Right-wing media outlets and politicians are now concerned that Trump’s second term will harm Japan’s trade and security interests.

Macroscope | Multilateral institutions’ critique of Trump’s actions is too muted

US funding of multinational bodies seems to be keeping their critique muted. The power of the purse should not ensure immunity from criticism.

China dumps more US debt, buys other assets as Trump targets Powell

Beijing’s Treasury holdings hit a September 2008 low, and analysts point to fears over Fed independence and debt sustainability, while gold’s appeal rises.

Macroscope | Investors are giving Trump a free pass

Markets, especially bond markets, are meant to be a disciplining force. Their inaction will only embolden Trump to act more recklessly.

New Zealand central bank chief scolded for poking nose in Trump-Fed feud

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters reminded Anna Breman to ‘stick to domestic monetary policy’.

UBS projects rosy view of Chinese stocks in 2026 as investors diversify holdings

‘Chinese assets’ appeal will further increase this year because of a sharpened focus on diversified investments,’ UBS’ Thomas Fang says.

Trump-Powell conflict over Fed escalates with threat of criminal indictment

Jerome Powell calls legal threats against him pretexts to pressure the US Fed over policy.

Hong Kong interbank rates forecast to drop on expected 2026 US monetary easing

Savings rates near zero prevent further prime rate reductions, though Hibor-linked loans will get cheaper, analysts say.

Trump says preferred Fed pick is ready, again teases firing Powell

US president urges Jerome Powell to resign as he considers a ‘gross incompetence’ lawsuit against the Fed leader.

China sets yuan fixing rate at 15-month high amid offshore gains

The move follows offshore yuan briefly breaching seven-per-US-dollar mark, with analysts citing dollar weakness, seasonal factors for rally.

Editorial | Hong Kong must find new growth areas amid uncertain US monetary policy

Divisive US Federal Reserve interest rate cut underscores why the city should not look too much to American interest rate cuts to bolster the economy.

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Macroscope | Trump-Takaichi meddling in finance spells more turbulence ahead