Fed Confirms Rate Meeting Schedule Despite Severe Winter Storm in Washington D.C. 
Japan Declines Comment on BOJ’s Absence From Global Support Statement for Fed Chair Powell. Source: Asturio Cantabrio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Indonesian Stocks Plunge as MSCI Downgrade Risk Sparks Investor Exodus 
Dollar Struggles as Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Markets Despite Official Support 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
MAS Holds Monetary Policy Steady as Strong Growth Raises Inflation Risks 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady in January as Market Expectations Align 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Asia Stocks Pause as Tech Earnings, Fed Signals, and Dollar Weakness Drive Markets 
U.S. Urges Japan on Monetary Policy as Yen Volatility Raises Market Concerns 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
RBA Deputy Governor Says November Inflation Slowdown Helpful but Still Above Target 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
The European Central Bank (ECB) may need to lower its deposit rate slightly below 2% due to mounting global trade tensions and increasing risks to eurozone inflation and economic growth, according to Belgium’s central bank governor Pierre Wunsch.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Wunsch—previously known for his hawkish views—signaled a shift, stating that recent shocks, including U.S. tariff hikes announced by President Donald Trump on April 2, have introduced “clear downside risks to inflation.” These developments, Wunsch noted, justify a more supportive monetary policy stance, including rate cuts below the current 2.25%.
Wunsch emphasized that he does not support a large rate cut, such as a half-point drop, in the near term. Instead, he supports a gradual approach, warning that the eurozone could face a short-term negative economic shock, potentially followed by a positive rebound in 2026 and 2027.
This marks a notable change in tone from his February remarks, where he cautioned against “sleepwalking” into excessive easing. However, the recent volatility in global trade has altered the outlook.
Market expectations now reflect a 90% probability of a rate cut at the ECB’s next meeting on June 5, with one additional cut priced in for later this year. Traders expect the deposit rate to reach a low of around 1.75%.
Wunsch told the FT he was “not shocked” by market forecasts and remained open to further policy easing if economic conditions continue to weaken.
His comments suggest the ECB may pivot towards a more dovish stance, highlighting the central bank’s balancing act between stabilizing inflation and supporting growth amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.
