Trump: 'Next Fed chair shortlist has effectively narrowed to one'

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 21st (local time) that he has effectively settled on one person as the next chair of the Federal Reserve.

According to Reuters, AFP and CNBC, Trump said in Davos, Switzerland, that “you could say the (Fed chair) contenders have been narrowed to three, but in effect it’s now down to two. I think it’s probably about one.”

He said everyone in the running is excellent. He added that an interview with Rick Rieder, chief investment officer (CIO) for global fixed income at BlackRock, was “very impressive.”

However, regarding Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council (NEC), who had previously been viewed as the leading candidate, he said, “to be honest, I want to keep him in his current role,” adding, “I don’t want to lose him.”

Trump also said he wants someone like former Chair Alan Greenspan.

The current list of contenders for Fed chair includes Rieder and Hassett, as well as former Fed governor Kevin Warsh and Fed governor Christopher Waller, for a total of four names mentioned.

By Case Han, Hankyung.com reporter case@hankyung.com