Tariffs will likely push inflation higher in the months ahead. Powell, speaking at a press conference following the Federal Open Market Committee’s rate decision, emphasized the high level of uncertainty facing the economy but was much more certain about this specific inflation risk.

The Federal Reserve downgraded its projections for U.S. economic performance this year, along with several primary economic indicators. The U.S. central bank sees lower economic growth, higher unemployment and higher prices amid major changes in U.