Tariffs Trigger Market Volatility, Investors Show Signs of Capital Transfer
The European Central Bank (ECB) points out that after the United States implemented a series of tariff policies, market volatility has significantly increased. The stock market sharply declined after President Trump announced broad tariffs, and then rebounded after he announced a 90-day postponement of some tariffs.
The report mentioned: "During this turbulent period, the trading function of the Eurozone financial markets remained stable, although there were some unusual capital flows, including capital moving out of traditional safe-haven assets such as US Treasury bonds and the US dollar." The ECB stated that this capital adjustment might not just be a short-term technical factor, but could also represent investors' awareness of a "systemic shift" in the overall market landscape.
Are US Assets No Longer Safe? Global Capital Flow Might Reshuffle
The central bank indicated that this change might show that investors are "re-evaluating the risk of US assets", and if the trend continues, it could lead to a structural adjustment in global capital flows, further affecting the stability of the global financial system.
ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos also warned in a CNBC interview that the market is currently underestimating risks and still has a risk of "correction". He stated: "The market is currently very optimistic, believing that economic growth will slow but not recession, inflation will decrease, and monetary policy will ease. But these expectations might be too ideal."
Overvaluation and Policy Uncertainty Intensify Market Volatility
The ECB Vice President pointed out that the two main sources of current market volatility are "high valuation" and "policy uncertainty". The ECB had previously warned that the market has "high valuations not supported by fundamentals", and now these risks have partially materialized. He directly said: "Trump's tariff policies are the trigger for this turbulence."
"Uncertainty" Becomes New Norm in Financial Markets
From a more macro perspective, de Guindos emphasized that the uncertainty of US trade, fiscal, and regulatory policies has become a key factor affecting global financial markets. He stated that such an environment not only makes investors more cautious but could also pose a threat to European financial stability.
Tariffs May Push Up Prices Short-Term, Potentially Causing Inflation Long-Term
When discussing inflation and economic growth, de Guindos warned that while trade tariffs might push up import prices in the short term, they also suppress consumer demand, so the price increase effect might be offset. However, in the long term, if tariffs and trade frictions lead to global supply chain disruption, corporate costs will rise, potentially triggering more persistent inflationary pressures.
EU Downgrades Economic Forecast, Reflecting Weak Growth
Meanwhile, the EU's updated economic forecast this week is not optimistic. The 2025 EU GDP estimated value was revised down from 1.5% to 1.1%, and the Eurozone from 1.3% to 0.9%. Inflation is expected to fall below the ECB's 2% target in 2026, indicating a simultaneous slowdown in growth momentum and price pressures.
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