WASHINGTON, July 25 -- Donald Trump and US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell appeared together for a tense meeting yesterdayas the president toured the central bank after ramping up his attacks on its management of the economy.

Trump-who wants to oust Powell for refusing to lower interest rates but likely lacks the legal authority to do so-has threatened to fire the Fed chief over cost overruns for a renovation of its Washington headquarters.

During a brief but painfully awkward exchange in front of reporters during a tour of the building, the pair bickered over the price tag for the makeover, which Trump said was US$3.1 billion.

The actual cost of the facelift has been put at US$2.5 billion and Powell was quick to correct the pre...