Fed's Powell: U.S. economic data is 'gold standard'

March 7 (Reuters) - U.S. economic data from government agencies like the Labor Department and Commerce Department are critical to the Federal Reserve's mission and are the world's "gold standard," Fed Chair Jerome Powell said on Friday.

Powell's remarks came in response to a question about whether the Fed is concerned about recent indications from new Trump administration officials that they may change some key indicators, such as gross domestic product, and had disbanded economic advisory committees.