The current tariff situation could complicate decisions on interest rates

The Federal Reserve will meet next week, and there could be an announcement on interest rates.

They are a big topic heading into planting season, but frequent Market Day Report guest and Senior Market Analyst with Barchart, Darin Newsom, says tariffs could keep rates higher for longer.

“I mean, it just happens. We saw it before when we started getting into trade wars and putting tariffs on all of our trade partners. Inflation is sparked, and then that’s what happens, and then when you tell the Fed that they’re not allowed to raise interest rates to combat inflation, which is what happened last time, then inflation tends to get out of hand. So, you know, if the Fed is going to sit back here and watch all these trade problems go on and they’re going to see, okay, this is going to light the fire under inflation again, they’re not going to be in any hurry to lower rates, they’re not going to be forced to lower rates.”

The FOMC meeting begins next Tuesday, with a rate announcement happening on Wednesday. A summary of economic projects will also be released.

Related Stories
Investment and access to capital remain critical for agriculture.
Strong ethanol exports support long-term growth in corn demand.
Roger McEowen of the Washburn School of Law discusses the lack of legal expertise in rural areas and a new program in Kansas aimed at addressing the issue.
Jake Charleston from Specialty Risk Insurance Agency recapped an Oklahoma auctioneer contest and recent industry events, showing how stakeholder feedback helps insurers gauge market conditions and risk management needs.
Pat Hord with the National Pork Producers Council joined us to recap producer meetings in Washington and discuss key policy priorities including Prop 12 and agricultural labor.
Cattle-on-Feed is down on the year in the USDA’s April report, with lower placements and marketings signaling tighter feedlot activity.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

This Final Rule adopts the changes introduced in the Interim Final Rule, consolidating seven agency-specific NEPA regulations into a single, department-wide framework, reducing the overall volume of regulations by 66 percent.
Rich Nelson with Allendale joined us to break down early planting progress, market expectations, and what producers should keep an eye on as the season moves forward.
Dr. Michael Langemeier with Purdue University provided perspective on the improving farmer sentiment and the trends shaping the agricultural economy moving forward.
Roger McEowen discusses how long-term healthcare costs for elderly Americans are reshaping estate-planning decisions for farm families and what producers should consider moving forward.
Farmer Jeffry Mitchell with the Mississippi Farm Bureau joins us for a spring planting update from the southeast region as drought, input costs, and fertilizer access complicate crop progress.
Cattle producers face mounting pressure as U.S.-Mexico trade talks resume, but expanding drought, rising input costs, and policy work to improve the long-term industry outlook.