According to reports, President Trump said he would prefer to choose former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Walsh or National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett to take charge of the Federal Reserve next year. In an interview in the Oval Office on Friday, the President called Walsh his first choice. “Yes, I think he is. “You know there are two Kevins,” he said. “They're both -- I think they're both excellent. Of course, there are several other candidates who are also excellent.” After Trump repeatedly hinted in recent weeks that he had selected a candidate for the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Hassett was increasingly viewed as the most popular. However, Trump's latest statement shows that Walsh is still in the competitive ranks. According to people familiar with the matter, Trump held a 45-minute meeting with Walsh at the White House on Wednesday, during which time he pressured Walsh to ask if he were elected chairman of the Federal Reserve, whether he could guarantee support for interest rate cuts. Trump confirmed the news in an interview. “He thinks interest rates must be cut,” Trump said of Walsh. “Everyone I've talked to thinks the same.” Trump said he believes the next chairman of the Federal Reserve should seek his opinion when formulating interest rate policies. “We don't usually do that now, but it used to be routine and should be,” Trump said. “That doesn't mean — I don't think he has to do exactly what I say. But there is no doubt that me—my opinions are valuable and should be listened to.” When asked where he hoped interest rates would be a year from now, Trump said, “1%, maybe even lower.” He said interest rate cuts would help the US Treasury reduce the cost of financing $30 trillion in government debt. “We should have the lowest interest rates in the world,” he said.

According to reports, President Trump said he would prefer to choose former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Walsh or National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett to take charge of the Federal Reserve next year. In an interview in the Oval Office on Friday, the President called Walsh his first choice. “Yes, I think he is. “You know there are two Kevins,” he said. “They're both -- I think they're both excellent. Of course, there are several other candidates who are also excellent.” After Trump repeatedly hinted in recent weeks that he had selected a candidate for the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Hassett was increasingly viewed as the most popular. However, Trump's latest statement shows that Walsh is still in the competitive ranks. According to people familiar with the matter, Trump held a 45-minute meeting with Walsh at the White House on Wednesday, during which time he pressured Walsh to ask if he were elected chairman of the Federal Reserve, whether he could guarantee support for interest rate cuts. Trump confirmed the news in an interview. “He thinks interest rates must be cut,” Trump said of Walsh. “Everyone I've talked to thinks the same.” Trump said he believes the next chairman of the Federal Reserve should seek his opinion when formulating interest rate policies. “We don't usually do that now, but it used to be routine and should be,” Trump said. “That doesn't mean — I don't think he has to do exactly what I say. But there is no doubt that me—my opinions are valuable and should be listened to.” When asked where he hoped interest rates would be a year from now, Trump said, “1%, maybe even lower.” He said interest rate cuts would help the US Treasury reduce the cost of financing $30 trillion in government debt. “We should have the lowest interest rates in the world,” he said.