French Central Bank Chief Slams Trump's Economic Policies as 'Tragic' for U.S., Europe

March 27, 2025
French Central Bank Chief Slams Trump's Economic Policies as 'Tragic' for U.S., Europe
  • Francois Villeroy de Galhau, the chief of France's central bank, criticized the Trump administration for destabilizing the multilateral economic system, negatively impacting both the U.S. and European economies.

  • Villeroy highlighted that the U.S. Federal Reserve's recent downgrade of economic forecasts indicates that Trump's policies are negatively affecting the American economy.

  • He also informed French lawmakers that Trump's decisions and policy reversals, particularly in trade, contribute to long-term financial risks, including those associated with crypto-assets and environmental issues.

  • Since taking office, Trump has made significant policy changes, including job cuts in federal agencies and unexpected tariff shifts that led to a 1.8% decline in the U.S. stock market.

  • In response to ongoing trade tensions, Trump threatened to impose a 200% tariff on European alcohol imports, escalating disputes in the trade war.

  • Although the tariffs would have a lesser impact on Europe, Villeroy estimated a potential 0.3% reduction in the eurozone's economic output due to increased U.S. tariffs in the second quarter.

  • Despite the economic instability caused by the Trump administration, both Villeroy and Nagel suggested that Europe could leverage this situation to strengthen its economy and attract foreign investment.

  • Villeroy emphasized that the situation represents a significant shock to the global economy, particularly for the U.S.

  • During a meeting in Paris, Villeroy described Trump's economic policies as a tragedy for the American economy, noting that the economic shock has been more severe than anticipated following the presidential election.

  • German central bank chief Joachim Nagel echoed these sentiments, likening the current U.S. economic policy under Trump to a horror show, reflecting widespread concern among European leaders.

Summary based on 2 sources


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