Austin Goolsbee

I'm optimistic rates can go down.

We just haven't been having that now for some time, and that makes me more concerned, and I'm less optimistic.

If we get some progress on inflation and...

we show we're headed back to a path of on our way to 2% inflation.

I'm optimistic rates can go down.

We just haven't been having that now for some time and that makes me more concerned and I'm less optimistic.

I don't see how you can look at the current situation

And at least to me, view that the only thing that's on the table conceivably are rate cuts.

If we get some progress on inflation.

And we show we're headed back to a path of on our way to 2% inflation.

I'm optimistic rates can go down.

We just haven't been having that.

I think the economy is growing.

I think the economy is growing quite vigorously.

I think you could hit 6% nominal GDP this year.

But we have a backup plan that is going to make sure that the president's trade policy is made a reality very, very shortly.

Just look around the world in countries

And at times when the central bank is not independent, the administration presses, cut the rates, cut the rates.

If inflation comes roaring back, that'll be the next person's problem.

I'm not hawkish about rates.