U.S. President Donald Trump said he will announce a candidate for the next chair of the Federal Reserve (Fed) within the next few weeks.
On the 18th (local time), Trump said this at a White House executive order signing ceremony, noting, "I don't know if it will be before the end of the year, but it will be very soon."
Trump said he is conducting interviews to pick the final candidate and that there are currently a total of three to four contenders.
That day, Trump said of current Fed Governor Christopher Waller, "He has been there (the Fed) for a long time," adding, "a really great person." He also assessed current Governor Michelle Bowman as "excellent."
Previously, Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, and former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh were also mentioned as strong candidates for chair.
Trump has fiercely criticized current Chair Jerome Powell for responding tepidly to his calls for interest rate cuts. Powell's term runs through May next year.
Regarding projections that Americans' premiums will soar as Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies end, Trump dismissed the view, saying, "It (ACA) was not a good law from the beginning, so (premiums) will soar."
On ideas for ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump said, "Every time they (Ukraine) drag it out too long, Russia changes its mind," adding, "I wish Ukraine would move quickly." Russia is reportedly set to meet with the United States in Miami this weekend.