拉加德发声：欧元区通胀稳在2% 但增长风险未消 欧元区面临关键抉择

Core Viewpoint - The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to maintain its key interest rates unchanged, emphasizing that current inflation has stabilized at the mid-term target of 2% and future policies will adopt a "data-dependent, gradual assessment" approach without pre-setting interest rate paths [1][5]. Group 1: Monetary Policy Decisions - The ECB's governing council unanimously decided to keep the three key interest rates unchanged during the July meeting [1]. - Future monetary policy will follow a "data-dependent" and "gradual meeting assessment" principle, considering inflation outlook, economic data, potential inflation dynamics, and the transmission effects of monetary policy [1][5]. - ECB President Lagarde stated that decisions will be based on the complete information available at each meeting, without pre-setting specific interest rate paths [1][5]. Group 2: Economic Indicators - Eurozone's economic growth in Q1 exceeded expectations, driven by preemptive export expansions, recovering private consumption, and increased investment activities [1]. - The unemployment rate in May was 6.3%, close to the lowest level since the euro's introduction, supporting consumer resilience alongside actual income growth and healthy private sector balance sheets [2]. - The June annual inflation rate for the Eurozone was 2.0%, with energy prices rising month-on-month but remaining low year-on-year, and food inflation slightly decreasing to 3.1% [3]. Group 3: Challenges and Risks - High actual and expected tariffs, a strong euro, and geopolitical uncertainties have led to a decline in corporate investment willingness, posing a significant obstacle to current economic growth [2]. - Global trade tensions, deteriorating financial market sentiment, and ongoing geopolitical conflicts may suppress exports and drag down investment and consumption [3]. - The fragmentation of global supply chains is pushing up import prices, while extreme weather and climate crises could lead to unexpected increases in food prices [4]. Group 4: Financial Market Conditions - Since the last meeting, market interest rates, particularly long-term rates, have risen, but the cumulative effects of previous rate cuts continue to show [5]. - The new loan rate for enterprises in May decreased to 3.7%, while bond issuance costs fell to 3.6%, indicating an increase in direct financing [5]. - The ECB is prepared to adjust all tools within its mandate to ensure inflation remains sustainably stable at the target level and to maintain the smooth operation of monetary policy transmission mechanisms [5].