US News
LAST UPDATE: July 10, 2025
Fed minutes show narrow support for rate cut later this month
June Fed meeting minutes reveal limited support for a July rate cut, though some see relief later in 2025 amidst tariff-driven inflation uncertainty.
Insight
Policymakers remain cautious: cutting rates only when clear data signals sustained softness, not preemptively.
Trump says U.S. interest rate is at least 3 points too high
Former President Trump asserted that U.S. interest rates are “at least 3 points too high,” pressing for aggressive rate cuts.
Insight
Trump’s pressure underscores the political push against the Fed, but current minutes suggest the central bank is resisting opportunistic easing.
Powell’s Successor May Struggle to Deliver the Rate Cuts Trump Wants
Bloomberg reports that, even if Trump nominates a Fed chair eager to lower rates, the successor will face institutional resistance—from the board and data—limiting quick action.
Insight
The Fed’s culture of collective decision-making and rigorous data dependence means political pressure may not translate into immediate policy shifts.
Fears grow that Texas floods death toll could still surge
The AFP reported concerns that the death toll of over 119 from Texas flash floods (early July 2025) may rise further, with more than 160 people still missing (ブルームバーグ, ブルームバーグ, CNA).
Insight
The discrepancy between confirmed fatalities and missing persons underscores the scale and severity of the disaster, signaling ongoing risks for rescue operations.
Inflation Is Eating the Labor Market. Gains Are a Mirage.
Alí R. Bustamante opines that despite low headline unemployment, real wages are being eroded by persistent inflation—masking a weakening labor market .
Insight
Wage growth can’t keep pace with inflation, signaling potential cooling of consumer spending and indicating that monetary policy may need to stay tight longer.
Munis Set for Comeback After Worst First Half in Five Years
Bloomberg’s Martin Z. Braun notes that municipal bonds, battered in H1 2025 vs Treasuries, are poised for recovery due to attractive yields and valuations .
Insight
After a weak start, munis now offer value and stable income, drawing investor interest—suggesting a potential shift in taxable bond allocation strategies ahead.
What Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ means for corporate America
The FT outlines that Trump’s legislation delivers windfalls to private equity, fossil fuels, and defense while cutting renewable incentives and social spending like SNAP .
Insight
The bill signals a profound redirection of fiscal policy—tax reforms favor traditional, capital-intensive industries at the expense of green energy and social safety nets.
