Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep its interest rate flat at Wednesday's policy meeting.Fed officials are reluctant to make any monetary policy moves while they wait to see what President Donald Trump's economic policies will be enacted and how they'll affect the economy.

Although inflation receded last month, an escalating trade war threatens to cause prices to rise on a wide range of consumer goods going forward.

The Federal Open Market Committee is expected to vote next Wednesday on whether to raise, lower or maintain interest rates at current levels amid heightened concern that a recession may be looming for the US economy.