Dollar Rallies as Inflation Heats Up, Trump Demands Rate Cuts

The US Dollar is on a tear, with the Dollar Index (DXY) climbing above 98.70 — its strongest level in weeks — as fresh inflation data from June casts doubt on imminent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report revealed a sharper-than-expected rise in headline inflation to 2.7% annually, signaling persistent price pressures that are making the Fed hesitant to ease monetary policy.

This has led to a significant shift in market expectations, with the probability of a July rate cut plummeting to just 2.6%. Amidst this economic backdrop, President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of the Fed and its Chair, Jerome Powell, publicly demanding immediate rate cuts to save the government money, while also doubling down on his tough stance regarding tariffs and advocating for cryptocurrency legislation.

These converging factors, from rising inflation and shifting Fed expectations to Trump’s direct intervention in monetary policy and trade, are creating a volatile and uncertain landscape for global markets and the dollar’s trajectory.