Lagarde hopes Trump won’t oust Fed Chairman

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde expressed hope that the possibility of US President Donald Trump firing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is not a real concern.

In an interview with CNBC on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank Spring Meetings today, April 22, Lagarde said, “I hope it is not true. I hope it does not become a real risk.”

Trump has recently increased pressure on Powell to cut interest rates, warning of a potential economic slowdown. He criticized Powell, calling him “always late” and “the biggest loser.”

Last week, Powell noted that Trump’s trade war could hurt growth and worsen inflation, while Trump threatened to oust him. Reports claimed that Trump has already begun searching for a replacement.