JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon stated on Thursday that he would not take on the role of Federal Reserve Chair in the near term, but expressed willingness to serve as Treasury Secretary if invited by Donald Trump.
Dimon clarified in an interview that even if someone (referring to Trump) were to offer him the position of Fed Chair, it would be "absolutely impossible" for him to accept.
While the prominent U.S. banking executive completely ruled out the possibility of leading the Federal Reserve, he indicated an openness to a senior cabinet role, stating he would consider serving as Treasury Secretary if the President extended an invitation.
"If the President calls you and asks you to do something, you should consider it," Dimon said. "So I would take the call, think about it carefully, and consider the reasons and what they want."
Dimon noted that the nature and structure of any such future position would be important factors in his consideration. "What they want and how they wish to operate would matter to me," he stated. However, Dimon added that he is very content with his current job, saying, "I've been my own boss for about 25 years, and I like it that way."
Dimon also recalled the public speculation during the APEC summit in Peru that he was being considered for a position in a potential Trump administration.
He was preparing to go on stage to speak when a journalist informed him that Trump had praised him on social media, but had hinted that Dimon would not be appointed as Treasury Secretary.
"She asked me that question on national television," Dimon recounted. "I said, that's fine, because I like being my own boss. We all like that."
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