US News
LAST UPDATE: October 9, 2025
Scott Bessent grilled Fed chair candidates on rates and quantitative easing
Treasury Secretary Bessent conducted rigorous interviews with 11 potential Fed chair nominees, challenging them on interest rates and the unwinding of QE. (フィナンシャル・タイムズ)
Insight
His approach suggests the Trump administration wants a more disciplined Fed consistent with tighter balance sheet and lower rate biases.
Fed’s Williams says he backs more rate cuts this year, NYT reports
New York Fed President John Williams told the New York Times he supports additional interest rate cuts this year in light of potential labor market weakening. (Reuters)
Insight
His stance adds credibility to the easing expectations in financial markets, though inflation risks remain a key counterbalance.
Government Shutdown Enters Day 9. Why a Deal Hasn’t Happened, Yet. — Barrons.com
As the U.S. federal government shutdown reaches its ninth day, neither Democrats nor Republicans have shifted their demands, leaving a deal elusive.
Insight
The standoff could intensify as operational disruptions mount, increasing public pressure on lawmakers to compromise.
Republicans Caution White House on Inflicting Shutdown Pain
Some senior Republicans are warning the White House against imposing harsh cuts or mass layoffs as a strategy in the shutdown standoff.
Insight
The internal GOP resistance reveals concerns over public backlash if essential services and workers suffer too badly.
Trump says most workers effected by shutdown will get back pay
President Trump stated that most federal workers impacted by the shutdown will receive retroactive pay once funding is restored.
Insight
The commitment attempts to assuage worker uncertainty but is complicated by legal and budgetary debates over automatic back pay.
IRS to furlough nearly half of its workforce due to US government shutdown
The IRS will furlough around 34,000 employees—nearly 46% of its staff—disrupting tax processing and service operations.
Insight
The scale of the furlough underscores how deeply the shutdown is affecting critical federal services.
US container imports drop in September as Trump tariffs disrupt global trade
U.S. container imports in September fell 8.4% year-on-year, largely driven by a steep drop in Chinese shipments under tariff pressure.
Insight
The decline suggests trade policy is already dampening global supply flows and consumer inventories in the U.S.
US Auto Sector Needs Continental Trade to Compete, Carney Says
Canada’s Mark Carney argued that for U.S. automakers to be globally competitive, integration via USMCA is essential amidst trade pressures.
Insight
The comment highlights how regional cooperation may act as a bulwark against disruptive unilateral tariffs.
