Global FX and European Economics: Gauging the EUR growth, policy and FX impact from potential tariffs
Oct 25, 2024
auto_awesome
In this discussion, Greg Fuzesi, Chief Euro Area Economist at JPMorgan, dives into the Eurozone's potential responses to U.S. trade conflicts. He explores how tariffs could impact Eurozone growth, focusing on currency fluctuations and market sentiment. The conversation reveals the structural challenges facing European economies, particularly in manufacturing, and discusses differentiated policy responses from the European Central Bank versus the Federal Reserve. Tune in for serious insights on the interplay between politics and economic stability!
The potential introduction of U.S. tariffs could lead to significant indirect impacts on Eurozone economic growth and consumer sentiment.
The Eurozone faces limitations in fiscal policy responses while the ECB may consider interest rate cuts to counteract GDP downturns.
Deep dives
Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Eurozone Growth
The potential introduction of U.S. tariffs could significantly impact the Eurozone's economic growth, primarily through indirect effects rather than direct repercussions. For instance, exports from the Euro area to the U.S. constitute only about 3% of GDP, meaning that a 10% tariff would translate to only a minor direct economic hit of roughly 0.3% of GDP. However, the broader implications, such as shifts in consumer sentiment and currency fluctuations, are likely to be more substantial. Historical context from 2018 shows that even modest tariff increases led to a pronounced slowdown in GDP growth, which suggests that the current situation could exacerbate these trends if tariffs are implemented again.
Policy Responses in the Eurozone
In response to potential economic challenges arising from tariffs, the Eurozone faces limitations in its policy responses, particularly concerning fiscal measures. While there are options for national fiscal responses, many countries are also engaged in budget consolidations, making agreement on collective EU-level financial support more complex. The European Central Bank (ECB), however, may move more swiftly with monetary policy adjustments, especially if GDP growth is negatively impacted. If growth were to decrease by about 1%, it could prompt discussions of interest rate cuts by the ECB to stimulate the economy in an environment of already low inflation.
The Euro's Vulnerability in Global Trade Conflicts
The Euro remains vulnerable amidst global trade tensions, particularly concerning its competitiveness in the currency market. Factors such as a robust U.S. economy and rising U.S. interest rates could lead to further depreciation of the Euro, especially if monetary policy in Europe does not tighten concurrently. The Eurozone's structural issues are compounded by the response to tariffs, which could deteriorate economic conditions further. Additionally, countries with a higher share of manufacturing in their GDP, like Germany and Italy, are likely to face more significant negative impacts from tariffs, making the Euro even more susceptible to further downturns.
A lot of ink has been spilled on the impact of US elections on the euro. But a less discussed question is what the Euro area response to mitigate any such trade conflict will be. Greg Fuzesi and Meera Chandan discuss the economic, policy and FX impact, if tariff risks are realized.
Speakers:
Meera Chandan, Global FX Strategy
Greg Fuzesi, Economic and Policy Research