On May 22, Federal Reserve Governor Waller stated on Friday that, given the increasing risks of inflation, the Fed should not consider further rate cuts as a default plan. Earlier this year in January, Waller had supported rate cuts. In his speech, he noted that the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and rising costs of oil and other commodities are increasingly likely to trigger broader persistent inflation in the economy. He emphasized that it is time for the Fed to stop signaling that the next action is likely to be another rate cut. Waller indicated that maintaining interest rates in the current range of 3.5% to 3.75% is likely the correct approach for the foreseeable future. He added, 'If inflation does not subside quickly, I cannot rule out the possibility of future rate hikes.' Waller stated that he now agrees with the view that the Fed should clearly indicate that its next rate adjustment could be either a cut or a hike.