The European Central Bank has warned that US tariffs are in danger of reaching their highest levels for half a century as its concerns mount about the impact of Donald Trump’s trade policy on eurozone growth.
The ECB said in its latest monthly bulletin on Thursday that “downside risks to the global economy have intensified” after the introduction of protectionist measures by the US and China last month and the threat of further retaliation.
“If all the threatened measures were to be implemented, the average US tariff rate would rise to levels not seen in the last 50 years,” the central bank said. “These developments constitute a serious risk to the outlook for global trade and activity in the short to medium term.”