关税冲击下首份美联储《褐皮书》：107次提及关税，淡化通胀影响

Group 1: Trade Policy Impact - The tariff policies have significantly affected key industries such as steel, aluminum, and automotive parts, forcing companies to shorten pricing cycles and implement daily price adjustments to transfer cost pressures [2] - Consumer behavior has shifted, with a surge in demand for durable goods before tariffs took effect, while non-durable goods consumption has declined, indicating concerns over future price increases [2] - Companies in regions like Atlanta and St. Louis have paused capital expenditures due to policy uncertainty, with some manufacturers stating that the environment is too chaotic for investment [2] Group 2: Inflation and Wage Dynamics - The Beige Book reveals signs of stagflation, with most regions reporting accelerated wage growth, contradicting signs of layoffs in manufacturing [3] - The healthcare sector continues to expand, driving up labor costs, while low-skilled jobs are shrinking due to industry shifts [3] - Input cost pressures are expected to rise further, with companies anticipating increased costs over the next six months, leading to a situation where consumers will ultimately bear these costs [3] Group 3: Federal Reserve Policy Dilemma - The Federal Reserve faces a dilemma between slowing economic growth and persistent inflation, with expectations of a rate cut in June despite inflation remaining above target [4][5] - Core PCE inflation expectations have been raised to 2.8%, while GDP growth forecasts have been downgraded from 2.1% to 1.7% [5] - The Fed's attempt to slow down balance sheet reduction has been interpreted as a dovish signal, reinforcing expectations for rate cuts [5] Group 4: Global Supply Chain Restructuring - The tariff situation is accelerating the restructuring of global supply chains, with companies facing challenges such as skyrocketing costs and order uncertainties [6][7] - For instance, U.S. agricultural exporters have been severely impacted, with the cost of soybeans rising from 4,000 yuan/ton to 7,000 yuan/ton, leading buyers to shift to South American markets [7] - Companies are adopting varied strategies to mitigate risks, including short-term measures to expedite shipments and long-term strategies like localizing supply chains [7] Group 5: Political and Market Pressures - The Trump administration's pressure on the Federal Reserve has reached new heights, with public calls for immediate rate cuts impacting market dynamics [8] - Despite the Fed's emphasis on policy independence, the acknowledgment of deteriorating economic prospects suggests that monetary policy is influenced by political factors [8] - Market reactions have been mixed, with Bitcoin rebounding and tech stocks performing well, while concerns over economic recession are reflected in deepening yield curve inversions [8]