The US Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday but signaled that it's prepared to start cutting rates if needed to protect the U.S. economy from trade conflicts and other threats. The Fed kept its benchmark rate _ which influences many consumer and business loans _ in a range of 2.25% to 2.5%, where it's been since December. US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell said that trade friction and slowing growth worldwide have led many central bankers to feel the case for an interest rate cut has 'strengthened' but that they want to see more data before moving.


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