US consumers hit the brakes in April while goods imports plummeted by a record as companies adjusted to higher tariffs.

German inflation slowed less than expected, highlighting lingering risks as the European Central Bank prepares to lower interest rates again.

The European Central Bank will lower interest rates twice more, according to a Bloomberg survey, but respondents warned it shouldn’t wait too long between those moves or investors will conclude that its easing campaign is already over.

President Donald Trump pushed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates at their first in-person meeting since the president’s inauguration, the White House said.

European Central Bank Governing Council member Francois Villeroy de Galhau said more reductions in borrowing costs could be on the way, with little sign at present of upward pressure on consumer prices.

President Donald Trump’s erratic policies offer a “prime opportunity” to strengthen the euro’s international role and allow the currency bloc to enjoy more of the privileges so far reserved for the US, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said.

President Xi Jinping’s government is considering a new version of its master plan to boost production of high-end technological goods, according to people familiar with the matter, signaling its intention to keep a firm grip on manufacturing as President Donald Trump looks to bring more factories back to the US.

France’s inflation rate dropped further below the European Central Bank’s 2% target, reaching a more than four-year low and adding to arguments that borrowing costs can be cut further.

President Donald Trump threatened a 50% tariff on goods from the European Union starting on June 1, saying “our discussions with them are going nowhere.”

Latest Bloomberg survey still suggests economy is shifting into a lower gear

Faster US inflation triggered by President Donald Trump’s tariffs wouldn’t necessarily spill over into the euro zone, according to European Central Bank Chief Economist Philip Lane.

The US Supreme Court shielded the Federal Reserve from Donald Trump’s push to fire top officials at independent federal agencies, in a decision likely to quell concerns that the president might move to fire Jerome Powell.

The European Central Bank must remain vigilant, despite almost having returned inflation to 2%, Governing Council member Joachim Nagel said.

Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven nations pledged to address “excessive imbalances” in the global economy, an effort clearly aimed at China, though the final communique omitted the name of the country.

The European Central Bank warned that escalating global tariff tensions have emerged as a “significant concern” for financial stability and the global economy.

The European Central Bank warned that heightened investor concern over the riskiness of US assets following Donald Trump’s tariff drive could further jolt the world’s financial system.

Germany’s economy will stagnate this year, though a recovery is in sight thanks to plans to ramp up government spending, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s independent panel of experts said.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. chief Jamie Dimon said he can’t rule out the US economy will fall into stagflation as the country faces huge risks from geopolitics, deficits and price pressures.

This Spring Forecast projects real GDP growth in 2025 at 1.1% in the EU and 0.9% in the euro area– broadly the same rates attained in 2024.

Die Inflation hat im April wieder leicht zugelegt. Im Jahresvergleich stiegen die Preise im Schnitt um 3,1 Prozent, wie die Statistik Austria am Montag mitteilte. Die Inflationsrate lag damit leicht über dem revidierten Wert von drei Prozent im März. Neben Strom und Miete hätten diesmal auch die Reisen in den Osterferien zum Preisanstieg beigetragen, so die Statistik Austria. Im Monatsvergleich legten die Preise im Schnitt um 0,2 Prozent zu.

Growth in US retail sales decelerated notably in April, suggesting consumers pulled back spending on cars, sporting goods and other categories of imported goods amid concerns about rising prices from tariffs.

Prices paid to US producers unexpectedly declined in April by the most in five years, largely reflecting a slump in margins, suggesting companies are absorbing some of the hit from higher tariffs.

Treasuries gained as a fresh spate of economic data offered signs of ebbing economic activity and dimming inflation, supporting bets that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates twice this year.

Investors face yet another bumpy start to the trading week, although it’s mounting concern over US debt rather than tariffs likely generating the volatility this time.

Euro-area inflation will fall below the European Central Bank’s target next year because of fallout from US trade policies, according to the European Commission.

Recession remains a possibility as tariff fallout continues to buffet global economies, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon.