Alva Review-Courier -

WASHINGTON (AP) — After the Federal Reserve cut interest rates Wednesday for the first time in a decade, Chairman Jerome Powell made a striking acknowledgement:

In the Trump era, the Fed faces a steep learning curve.

The Fed is supposed to set interest rates based on gauges of inflation and employment. But President Donald Trump has injected a wild card into the mix with his combative trade wars and tariffs on imports. The resulting economic uncertainties, Powell said, had significantly influenced the Fed's decision to cut rates.

"Trade is unusual," the Fed chairman told reporters at a news co...