Washington: US President Donald Trump threatened Friday to halt trade with countries running trade surpluses with the United States unless the Federal Reserve eases monetary policy. Trump cited in a Truth Social post August's jobs report which he sees sufficient for the Federal Reserve to cut rates.

According to Qatar News Agency, the comments come as Fed officials emphasize price stability, with Kevin Warsh, Trump's handpicked Federal Reserve chairman, signaling that higher rates could remain an option. Fresh US inflation data are expected Friday, following an August jobs report that showed employment rising by 162,000-well above economists' forecast of 55,000.