The head of the U.S. Federal Reserve has hinted at a possible interest rate cut if necessary,... while pledging to keep an eye on the deepening trade disputes between Washington and Beijing.br Speaking at a policy conference in Chicago on Tuesday,... Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank is closely monitoring the ongoing trade tensions and will act (quote) "as appropriate" to sustain a strong labor market and inflation near the Fed's two percent objective.br This is in stark contrast to his earlier remarks,... during which Powell had not explicitly mentioned a need for rate cut despite President Trump's continued demands.