Nick Timiraos, a Wall Street Journal reporter known as the "Fed's mouthpiece", wrote that Federal Reserve Chairperson Jerome Powell is facing an increasingly difficult task. Economists, business owners and investors widely agree that the uncertainty created by Mr. Trump's sudden and massive imposition of tariffs - many of which will take effect on Wednesday - will push the economy closer to recession by undermining employment and consumption, which may require a rate cut to ease downward pressure on the economy. At the same time, the magnitude of the tariffs could lead to sharp increases in the prices of many imported goods, including raw materials used by domestic manufacturers. This could make Fed officials concerned about inflation and support keeping interest rates at current levels, despite growing risks to the economy and the labor market. "They are in a dilemma," said Lawrence Meyer, a former Fed governor. The US Congress has entrusted the Federal Reserve with the responsibility of maintaining low and stable inflation and a healthy labor market. No US president's policies since more than four decades ago have exposed the Fed's two mandates to such a profound potential conflict.