Philadelphia Fed pres: Inflation caused by 'perfect storm' including 'policy decisions'

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harker on Thursday discussed the problems high inflation is causing for Americans and gave his take on what has caused what he described as "a period of tremendous hardship for Americans."

Speaking at the chamber of commerce in nearby Vineland, N.J., Harker said "inflation is far too high" and that in order to solve the problem, it is necessary to recognize its causes.

"In this case, there is no singular cause. It has instead been a confluence of events, essentially, a 'perfect storm,'" Harker said. "A global pandemic, a war in Europe, and, yes, fiscal and monetary policy decisions have combined to limit supply and boost demand. The result has been inflation running at 40-year highs."

President Biden has often blamed Russia's invasion of Ukraine for inflation – often using the phrase "Putin price hike" – as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been loath to admit that decisions by U.S. government officials had anything to do with it.

US RECESSION ODDS RISE TO 100% AS INFLATION SQUEEZES THE ECONOMY

Harker, discussing supply chain woes, claimed that the Russian invasion "choked supply" as exports decreased after lockdowns in China led to factories being shuttered and a shortage of semiconductors. At the same time, however, he said U.S. policies have contributed to the problem and that "their effect on supply is undeniable."

FED BARRELS TOWARD ANOTHER 75 BASIS POINT RATE HIKE AS HIGH INFLATION PERSISTS

Without saying whether or not he agrees with the policies, Harker said tariffs on overseas products have led to higher prices, a halt on legal immigration contributed to a labor shortage, and that higher prices on material and labor have led to higher prices for homes that are in short supply.

Harker went on to state what Republicans have been claiming: that government spending has contributed to the problem.

"Fiscal policy has added to demand," he said, referring to how "[t]he federal government pumped around $6 trillion into American households during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic."

While stimulus payments and moratoriums on mortgage and student loan payments may have helped people at the time, he said, "they have certainly contributed to the high levels of demand we are still seeing."

INFLATION SURGED MORE THAN EXPECTED IN SEPTEMBER AS PRICES REMAIN PAINFULLY HIGH

Harker also blamed the Fed itself.

"And finally, expansive monetary policy – that’s us – kept the cost of capital low for long," he said, pointing to how interest rates were kept low during most of the pandemic.

Now, however, the Fed is taking action to reduce demand, which he said is done by raising interest rates and "reducing our balance sheet."

"We are shedding $60 billion in Treasuries and $35 billion in agency debt and mortgage-backed securities each month," he said. "Which is to say, we are removing a significant amount of financial accommodation quite rapidly."

Regarding interest rates, Harker noted that as there has so far been a "frankly disappointing lack of progress on curtailing inflation," additional increases are likely to continue into 2023.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

As for when inflation will get better, Harker said it will take time, as he predicts Personal Consumption Expenditure inflation to be at 6% for 2022 (it was 7% in June, down to 6.2% in August), about 4% in 2023, and down to 2.5% in 2024.

"Inflation will come down," Harker said, "but it will take some time to get to our target."