WASHINGTON, May 4. /TASS/. U.S. President Donald Trump promised not to remove Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Board chairman before his term ends in May 2026, but described the central banker as "a total stiff" and repeated calls for the Fed to lower interest rates.

Asked if he would remove Powell before his term as chair ends in 2026, Trump said, "No, no, no. Why would I do that? I get to replace the person in another short period of time."

On Wednesday, the US leader criticized the Fed for refusing to lower the rates anew. The regulator is expected to leave the rate unchanged at the next meeting next week.

The market expects the Fed to cut the rate three times this year. On March 19, the rate was left flat at 4.25-4.5%.