The President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde, has expressed concerns over the United States’ tariff policies, stating they are adding to global uncertainties and negatively impacting economies around the world.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview with Newstalk radio in Ireland, Lagarde said, “It will be negative the world over, and the density and the durability of the impact will vary depending on the scope, on the products targeted, on how long it lasts, and on whether or not there are negotiations.”
She emphasized that tariff escalations not only harm those targeted but also those who impose them. Lagarde noted that such disputes often conclude with all parties returning to the negotiating table to seek resolutions.
Highlighting the rising levels of uncertainty, Lagarde pointed out that U.S. tariff measures are a significant contributing factor. “We simply don’t really know to this day, which is supposed to be the day when it is announced, what the deal will be for the rest of the world,” she said. “Predictability is in very short supply at the moment.”
In a recent interview with a French radio program, Lagarde suggested that the U.S. tariffs could serve as a wake-up call for the European Union. “We can decide together to take our destiny into our own hands, and I think it is a march to independence,” she stated.
Lagarde’s comments come amid ongoing trade tensions that have stirred economic uncertainties globally. Many economists and world leaders share her concerns, warning that prolonged trade disputes could slow down global economic growth.
