Could Trump’s universal tariff revive inflation? Economists at Rabobank analyze how a raise in import tariffs could affect the trajectory of inflation and consequently the Fed’s rate path.
Based on current opinion polls and our expectation of a deterioration of economic data in 2024, we have decided to assume a Trump victory in our current forecasting round for the global economy.
Given Trump’s first term in office and his recent remarks on trade policy, we should expect a broad rise in import tariffs under a Trump presidency. This could lead to a rebound in inflation, especially in 2025, complicating the Fed’s mission to get inflation back to its 2% target in a sustainable manner. Ceteris paribus, this could reduce the amount of rate cuts that the Fed has in mind for 2025.