Bloomberg Daybreak: Europe Edition cover image

Bloomberg Daybreak: Europe Edition

UK Growth Downgrade, Powell In No Rush & Germany Confronts Trump Tariffs

Feb 12, 2025
Discover how the UK's downgraded growth forecast could lead to major spending cuts and a hefty £150 billion bill for taxpayers tied to the Bank of England's QE program. Hear concerns from the Bank’s governor about the risks posed by multi-manager hedge funds. Explore the implications of trade wars on Germany's bustling Hamburg port and the criticism of Trump's tariffs by Citadel's founder. Plus, learn about Jerome Powell's patient approach to interest rate adjustments, signaling a wait-and-see stance from the Federal Reserve.
16:15

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The UK faces potential spending cuts as Rachel Reeves navigates downgraded growth forecasts and fiscal constraints, impacting public services.
  • Germany's economy is threatened by escalating trade tensions, particularly U.S. tariffs, putting pressure on its export-dependent businesses in Hamburg.

Deep dives

UK's Fiscal Challenges and Potential Spending Cuts

The UK's Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces significant pressure as the Office for Budget Responsibility downgraded the growth forecast, potentially leading to spending cuts to meet fiscal rules. These budgetary constraints leave Reeves with limited options, possibly forcing her to consider cuts to welfare or other public services, as she has ruled out raising taxes. The immediate forecasts indicate that the economy shrank at the end of 2024, with the next update expected to provide further clarity. This situation underscores the delicate balance of managing public finances amidst weak growth projections.

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