By Michael S. Derby NEW YORK (Reuters) -Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday he continues to believe the U.S. central bank should cut interest rates at the end of this month amid mounting risks to the economy and the strong likelihood that tariff-induced inflation will not drive a persistent rise in price pressures.

Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller, a Trump appointee from the president’s first term and a contender to succeed Jerome Powell as chair, said he would accept the top job if offered. “If \[Trump\] says ‘Chris,

The Federal Reserve's] hesitancy to cut rates, I think, is actually … quite a mark against them,” former Fed governor Kevin Warsh said.

Fed Governor Waller discusses balance sheet challenges, QT into 2029, and risks to Fed independence. Read the implications for markets if Powell leaves the Fed.

Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins said on Tuesday she's in no rush to change the U.S. central bank's benchmark interest rate amid current economic uncertainty, as data suggest that while import tariffs will drive up inflation,