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  2. Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed?
Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed?

Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed?

Economist Podcasts · Feb 3, 2026

Trump's pick for Fed chair, Kevin Warsh, raises fears of a politicized Fed. Will his hawkish past clash with presidential pressure for rate cuts?

Political "Auditions" for Fed Chair Force Candidates to Contradict Their Economic History

To secure a nomination from a president like Donald Trump, candidates like Kevin Warsh must publicly adopt positions, such as rate cuts, that contradict their hawkish history. This "audition process" creates fundamental uncertainty about their true policy direction once appointed.

Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed? thumbnail

Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed?

Economist Podcasts·16 days ago

In Thailand, The Establishment Uses Courts to Invalidate Liberal Election Wins

Liberal parties like the People's Party can win elections but are systematically blocked from governing. The Thai establishment uses the constitutional court to dissolve these parties and ban their leaders, leading many voters to doubt if their vote for liberal change can ever succeed.

Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed? thumbnail

Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed?

Economist Podcasts·16 days ago

Hong Kong Tourism Policy Ignores Visitors' Shift to Low-Cost Experiences

While Hong Kong's government plans big-ticket attractions to drive tourism spending, visitor data shows a different reality. Tourists, especially from mainland China, are spending less and embracing cheap, authentic experiences like the city's historic tram network.

Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed? thumbnail

Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed?

Economist Podcasts·16 days ago

A Fed Chair's True Power Lies in Obscure Policy, Not Interest Rates

While presidents focus on interest rates, a Fed Chair like Kevin Warsh has limited sway as one of 12 votes. His real impact will be on technical areas like the Fed's balance sheet, where he has stronger personal convictions and faces less political scrutiny.

Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed? thumbnail

Tug of Warsh: will the new chair politicise the Fed?

Economist Podcasts·16 days ago