The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Dec. 11, edition that the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision this week is further complicated by the ongoing search to replace chair Jerome Powell. A New York Times dispatch to The Globe reports that President Donald Trump could soon name his choice to lead the institution next year, as Mr. Powell's term as chair concludes in May. Replacing Mr. Powell will be Mr. Trump's biggest chance yet to reshape the Fed, which he has criticized for months over its reluctance to cut borrowing costs significantly. Mr. Trump has said his top priority is having someone who will quickly implement lower interest rates, reiterating this as his litmus test on Tuesday. Mr. Trump seems to have found his candidate in Kevin Hassett, a loyalist, who is viewed as the front-runner, a notion Mr. Trump has nearly confirmed. Final interviews with top candidates will begin Wednesday, although those scheduled with Vice-President JD Vance and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles were cancelled this month. Other candidates under consideration include Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor; Christopher Waller, a sitting governor; and Rick Rieder of BlackRock, the asset management giant.