The chair acknowledged that if the Fed cut its rate too soon, inflation could move higher, and if it cut too late, then the job market could suffer.

The central bank has said Trump’s tariffs are making it difficult for it to lower rates, something that would otherwise be called for amid signs of slowing economic activity.

President Trump wants the Fed to slash borrowing costs, but the central bank is unlikely to take such aggressive steps even once it begins to lower interest rates.