Hamak, president of the Cleveland Fed, reiterated that she saw no reason to lower interest rates this month, with current data showing inflation remained above the Fed's 2 per cent target and continuing to rise. Ms Hamak said business leaders were feeling price pressure from suppliers. "Some of the pressure is tariff-related and some is not," she said. "Ms Hamak also said that if there is a threat to the Fed's independence, then low inflation is also at risk.