제롬 파월 미 연준 의장은 22일 새벽 연방공개시장위원회 회의 직후 기자회견에서 "저와 동료들은 인플레이션을 목표치인 2%까지 낮추는데 강력히 전념하고 있다"고 말했다. 그는 이어 "우리가 그렇게 하지 못한다면 우리가 섬기는 국민들에게 가장 고통스런 일이 될 것이다. 인플레이션 억제는 우리의 가장 중요한 목표가 되어야 한다"고 말했다.

파월 의장의 이런 발언으로 미국 증시는 막판 급락했다. 뒤이어 열린 세계 각국증시도 급락세다. 한국 코스피는 오전 10시5분 현재1.11%하락한 2321.06에 거래중이다. 원달러 환율 역시 0.82% 오른 1405.70에 거래중이다.

다음은 미 연준 홈페이지에 게재된 파월 의장의 연설문 전문이다. 원문 그대로 게재한다.    

"September 21, 2022

Recent indicators point to modest growth in spending and production. Job gains have been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low.

Inflation remains elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic, higher food and energy prices, and broader price pressures.

Russia’s war against Ukraine is causing tremendous human and economic hardship. The war and related events are creating additional upward pressure on inflation and are weighing on global economic activity. The Committee is highly attentive to inflation risks.

The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. In support of these goals, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 3 to 3-1/4 percent and anticipates that ongoing increases in the target range will be appropriate. In addition, the Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities, as described in the Plans for Reducing the Size of the Federal Reserve’s Balance Sheet that were issued in May. The Committeeis strongly committed to returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.

In assessing the appropriate stance of monetary policy, the Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook. The Committee would be prepared to adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede the attainment of the Committee’s goals. The Committee’s assessments will take into account a wide range of information, including readings on public health, labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.

Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Michael S. Barr; Michelle W. Bowman; Lael Brainard; James Bullard; Susan M. Collins; Lisa D. Cook; Esther L. George; Philip N. Jefferson; Loretta J. Mester; and Christopher J. Waller. "