US President Donald Trump said that Kevin Hassett and Kevin Warsh are his top choices to lead the US Federal Reserve and that he expects the next chair of the central bank to consult with him on interest rates.

Mr Trump, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Dec 12, indicated that Mr Warsh, a former Fed governor, has climbed up the short list of contenders to challenge Mr Hassett, the White House National Economic Council head whom many had seen as the frontrunner for the job.