European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers are shifting their focus from inflation to weak economic growth, as the Eurozone struggles with stagnation and looming trade risks from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs.
Key Concerns for the ECB
- Economic Stagnation:Portuguese central bank chief Mario Centeno warned that the economy is stagnating with "risks accumulating downwards." He highlighted Trump’s tariff threats as a potential downside risk to growth.
- Interest Rates Outlook:The ECB has already cut interest rates three times in 2024. Investors expect further reductions at every policy meeting until mid-2025, as the bloc teeters on the edge of recession.
- Growth Becoming a Priority:ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos emphasized that growth, rather than inflation, is now the bank’s top concern. He cautioned that tariffs could trigger a “vicious cycle” of retaliatory trade wars, harming global growth and financial stability.
Trump’s Tariff Threats and Eurozone Impact
- Trump pledged to impose large tariffs on the U.S.’s top three trading partners — Canada, Mexico, and China — immediately after taking office.
- French central bank chief Francois Villeroy de Galhau argued that while the inflation effect in Europe may be limited, U.S. tariffs could drive up long-term interest rates globally, impacting the Eurozone.
Growth Risks and Rate Predictions
- Finnish central bank governor Olli Rehn predicted subdued growth and a tepid recovery, suggesting the ECB might cut its key rate to a neutral level (2.0%-2.5%) by early spring.
- Money markets anticipate the deposit rate could drop to 1.75% next year, a level aimed at stimulating economic growth.
A Global "Lose-Lose" Scenario
De Guindos warned that tariffs could lead to a "lose-lose" situation, where all countries suffer. However, the U.S. might lose the most as other nations redirect exports elsewhere, leaving American companies exposed to retaliatory tariffs globally.
With Eurozone growth stagnating and trade wars looming, ECB policymakers face mounting pressure to respond decisively to protect the region’s fragile recovery. The coming months will test the ECB's ability to balance monetary easing with geopolitical uncertainties.
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