The Federal Reserve is widely expected to make a 25 basis points rate cut at the end of its two-day policy meeting in September

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to make a 25 basis points rate cut at the end of its two-day policy meeting in September

 Mandel NGAN

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to make its first interest rate cut of the year at its policy meeting this week, spurred by a weakening jobs market -- but political tension looms over the gathering.

The Fed's likely move would follow a monthslong push from President Donald Trump to slash rates, and comes amid growing concern about political pressure on the independent central bank.

Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.