Cook’s remarks come after Fed chair Jay Powell said last week that a December rate cut was far from a “foregone conclusion” after the central bank lowered its benchmark federal funds target for the second time this year to a range of 3.75-4 per cent — its lowest level since late 2022.

(Reuters) -U.S. Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, in her first public appearance since President Donald Trump moved to fire her, said it took a "thick skin" to pursue public service in the U.S. and pledged to fulfill the mandate given through her Senate confirmation to defend the central bank's inflation and employment targets.