Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin, in his first public speech, said Monday that he thinks the central bank should continue to raise interest rates. Barkin said the level of the fed-funds rate target is still boosting the economy, which he described as stepping on the gas. It is "hard to argue" this is the correct policy stance with unemployment low and inflation is at the 2% annual target, he said in a speech at George Mason University. Fed officials don't see raising rates as too risky, he said. Barkin, who joined the Richmond Fed and is a voting member of the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee, wouldn't say if he favored two or three more rate hikes this year, which is expected by most market participants. He also didn't define what he sees as a "neutral" level for interest rates, representing a level that neither stimulates nor holds back economic growth. Barkin said the economy was strong but not without risks. One risk is that business contacts who were "euphoric" in January are now "nervous" about the prospects of trade conflicts and potential tariffs.