Kazakhstan chairs first meeting of OTS Central Banks Council
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the first OTS Central Banks Council meeting in Astana, calling for greater financial cooperation amid global economic shifts.
Greek central bank governor Yannis Stournaras warned in an interview with the Financial Times on Monday that US President Donald Trump’s new tariff measures could slow euro area economic growth by between 0.5 and 1 percentage point.
His comments come as EU nations consider targeted countermeasures on up to $28 billion of US imports - from items like dental floss to diamonds.
The 27-member bloc currently faces a 25% tariff on steel, aluminum, and cars, along with “reciprocal” tariffs of 20% on nearly all other goods, effective from Wednesday. Stournaras cautioned that the emerging global trade war might trigger a significant “negative demand shock” in the eurozone, potentially weakening economic activity and pushing inflation below central bank targets.
He explained, “A notable adverse impact on growth could lead to activity being much weaker than expected, dragging inflation below our targets.” The European Central Bank has estimated that a blanket 25% US tariff on European imports would reduce eurozone growth by 0.3 percentage points in the first year, a figure that could rise to half a percentage point if the EU enacts its own counter-tariffs.
Stournaras described the tariffs as deflationary measures and noted that some of the US actions have been “worse than expected,” contributing to an “unprecedented” degree of global policy uncertainty. With the next ECB rate decision set for April 17 and eurozone inflation easing to 2.2% in March from 2.3% in February, there is growing speculation about further interest rate cuts.
Trade between the US and the EU remains robust, with 2024 figures showing US imports from the EU at 334 billion euros, compared to 532 billion euros in EU exports to the United States. On April 2, Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all US imports along with higher duties on goods from roughly 60 countries, intensifying the trade dispute.
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
An international academic conference titled "Islamophobia: Exposing Prejudice and Destroying Stigma" has officially opened in the capital of Azerbaijan, bringing together global scholars, experts, and policymakers to address the rise and consequences of anti-Muslim discrimination.
President Donald Trump announced that he will increase steel tariffs from 25% to 50%, a move that could push up costs for industries relying on steel, including housing and auto manufacturing.
U.S. stocks wrapped up the week with a mixed finish after President Donald Trump accused China of breaking a recent trade agreement, reigniting global market jitters just weeks after a deal was struck in Geneva.
Volkswagen is negotiating directly with the U.S. government to ease tariffs in exchange for deeper investment commitments.
Wall Street futures slipped as a surprise court ruling brought back most of Trump-era tariffs, shaking investor confidence heading into month-end.
Model Hailey Bieber is selling her skincare brand Rhode to e.l.f. Beauty in a deal worth up to $1 billion (£790 million), with plans for international expansion and continued viral success.
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