耶倫表示 加息可能在相對不久後變得合適

Janet Yellen has stressed the importance of central bank independence in her first public remarks since Donald Trump’s election victory.

在自唐納德.特朗普(Donald Trump)當選美國總統以來的首次公開講話中，美聯儲(Fed)主席珍妮特.耶倫(Janet Yellen)強調了央行獨立的重要性。

As new data showed the president-elect will inherit a strengthening economy.

目前新的數據顯示，當選總統將繼承一個日益強勁的經濟。

The Federal Reserve chair told Congress yesterday that an increase in short-term interest rates could become appropriate relatively soon, raising expectations of a rise at the Fed’s next meeting in December.

耶倫昨日告訴美國國會，短期利率上調可能在相對不久後變得合適，這令外界預期美聯儲會在12月下次利率會議上加息。

New economic figures showed a surge in housing starts and a pick-up in inflation.

新的經濟數據顯示，房屋開工數量飆升，通脹上揚。

Ms Yellen said it was critically important that central banks have the freedom to make judgments about how best to pursue their goals.

耶倫表示，至關重要的是，央行應擁有就如何最好地實現其目標做出判斷的自由。

Her remarks followed attacks during the election campaign by Mr Trump, who claimed the Fed had kept interest rates low to help the Obama administration.

在她發表上述講話前，特朗普曾在競選期間進行抨擊，聲稱美聯儲將利率保持在低位是爲了幫助奧巴馬政府。

There is clear evidence of better ¬outcomes in countries where central banks can take the long view [and] are not subject to short-term political pressures, she said.

有明顯的證據表明，那些央行可以持長遠眼光（而且）不受短期政治壓力影響的國家，會得到較好的結果，她表示。

Sometimes central banks need to do things that are not immediately popular for the health of the economy.

有時，央行需要爲了經濟健康做一些不會馬上受歡迎的事情。

The Fed’s next meeting is on December 13-14, five weeks before Mr Trump’s inauguration.

美聯儲下次利率會議定於12月13日至14日舉行，距離特朗普宣誓就職還有5周。

Economists said the fresh batch of data showing an improving economy increased the chances of it deciding to raise rates.

經濟學家表示，顯示經濟走強的新數據提高了美聯儲決定加息的機率。

Ms Yellen said an increase could be justified if incoming data provide some further evidence of continued progress toward the committee’s objectives.

耶倫表示，如果最新數據提供了更多證據表明，在朝着委員會目標方面繼續取得進展，那麼加息就可能是合理的。