Fed cuts interest rate by 0.25%p...For the second time in a row,

The U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve, has cut its benchmark interest rate again since September.

After a two-day open market committee, the Fed issued a statement saying it was cutting its key interest rate by 0.25%p to between 4.5% and 4.75%.

The Fed's rate cuts are the second in a row following a 0.5%p big cut in September, as the focus of monetary policy has shifted from price stability to growth and employment.

As a result, the interest rate gap between South Korea and the U.S. has narrowed again to 1.5%p.

The Korea-U.S. interest rate gap has widened to 1.75%p since the Fed's big cut in September, but the Bank of Korea lowered its key interest rate by 0.25%p last month.

Now, the market's attention is on whether the Fed will continue its rate-cutting march at its remaining meetings ahead of the Trump era.

Some observers say that the Fed could slow the rate cut as high tariffs and tax cuts that Trump is touting could fuel inflation.

According to the dot plot released by the Fed at its meeting in September, nine members predicted one additional cut and 10 expected two cuts, which were closely divided.

The Fed has the last open market committee meeting of the year left on the 17th of next month.