News Brief: English
Summary
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has defended US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell as “professional” and “diligent” following attacks from the Trump administration and a criminal investigation. He endorsed RBA Governor Michele Bullock’s decision to sign a global letter of support for Powell, emphasizing the critical importance of central bank independence.
Key Points
- Chalmers’ Defense: Treasurer Jim Chalmers publicly supported Fed Chair Jerome Powell, describing him as a “very professional, very diligent public servant.”
- Support from Central Bankers: RBA Governor Michele Bullock joined 15 other central bank chiefs in signing a letter expressing “full solidarity” with Powell and the Fed, stressing institutional independence.
- Context of Investigation: Powell claims the criminal probe into Fed cost overruns is a pretext for attack, linked to his refusal to cut interest rates as deeply as former President Trump wanted.
- Independence Stressed: Chalmers strongly affirmed the “absolutely essential” need for central bank independence, citing his own RBA reform efforts to strengthen it.
- Official Endorsement: Chalmers stated he was informed of Bullock’s intent to sign the support letter and considered her action “appropriate.”
新闻简报：中文
文章总结
澳大利亚财政部长吉姆·查默斯为美国联邦储备委员会主席杰罗姆·鲍威尔进行了辩护，称其”专业”且”勤勉”。此前，特朗普政府对其发起攻击并启动了刑事调查。查默斯支持澳大利亚储备银行行长米歇尔·布洛克签署全球联署信声援鲍威尔，并强调了中央银行独立性的至关重要性。
关键要点
- 查默斯的辩护：财长吉姆·查默斯公开支持美联储主席鲍威尔，称其为”非常专业、非常勤勉的公职人员”。
- 央行行长的支持：澳储行行长米歇尔·布洛克与其他15位央行行长联合签署信函，表达对鲍威尔及美联储的”完全声援”，并强调机构独立性。
- 调查背景：鲍威尔声称，针对美联储总部成本超支的刑事调查是一种攻击借口，根源在于他拒绝像前总统特朗普所要求的那样大幅降息。
- 强调独立性：查默斯强烈肯定了央行独立性”绝对必要”，并提及他推动的澳储行改革正是为了加强而非削弱其独立性。
- 官方认可：查默斯表示，他事先知悉布洛克签署支持信的决定，并认为此举”完全合适”。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-16/jim-chalmers-defends-federal-boss-jerome-powell-as-trump-attacks/106238258