Economy

Fed vs. inflation
Trump attacks Fed chief again – hints at firing

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Fed chief Jerome Powell's handling of the key interest rate. On Friday, he continued, calling him, among other things, "clumsy", "moron" (roughly stupid, ed. note) and "obvious Trump hater", international media reports, referring to his account on Truth Social.

"Maybe, just maybe, I have to change my mind about firing him? But regardless, his term is up soon!" Trump writes at the end of the post.

This week, the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged for the fourth consecutive month. 

Timing divides the Fed: "Definitely a difference of opinion"

There are divided opinions among Federal Reserve members about when to cut interest rates, reports the Financial Times.

Member Christopher Waller is in favor of a cut as early as July, downplaying the risks of inflation and Donald Trump's tariffs. Others want to wait until the fall or abstain altogether.

- One notable thing is that the number of Fed officials who believe there should be no cuts has increased. There is clearly a difference of opinion within the committee, Rick Rieder, BlackRock's chief investment officer for global fixed income, told the FT. 

Tariff crisis  Trump's tariff policy
Stuck situation – framework agreement looks like the best outcome

Tariff talks between the US and the EU are progressing slowly and the best possible scenario at the moment is that the parties agree on a framework agreement before the tariff break expires in early July, sources told Bloomberg. In that case, negotiations could continue after the deadline has expired.

The demands made by the US are currently said to be too far-reaching for the EU. The EU has been clear that it is demanding a "symmetrical" agreement that will benefit both parties.
  

The future of the defense
The defense does business with Palantir – silent about costs

The Defense Forces confirm a business relationship with the American tech company Palantir, known for its military AI systems, writes ETC. Among other things, they have purchased services and systems from Palantir's Swedish operation, Palantir Technologies Sweden, for several years.

Palantir is in the news, among other things, because Israel is one of their largest customers and that the CEO has openly joked about their involvement in war. When ETC follows up on questions about costs and the scope of the collaboration, the answers are general and evasive.

– We cannot develop the functionality we need ourselves, and will need help from industry and business to solve these problems, says Henrik Kasesalu, section head at the Defense Staff's information unit, to ETC.