EURGBP - Interest rates will stay high for a long time!?The EURGBP currency pair is below the EMA200 and EMA50 in the 4H timeframe and is moving in its downward channel. In case of a valid failure of the ceiling of the channel, we can see a supply zone and resell within that zone with a reward for the appropriate risk. The breaking of the drawn upward trend line will provide us with the path for the downtrend of this currency pair to the support range.
According to expert analysis, President-elect Donald Trump’s commitment to imposing tariffs on imports from Mexico to the United States could have a greater negative impact on European automakers like Volkswagen and Stellantis, as well as their suppliers, than any direct tariffs on European Union goods.
Should these tariffs be implemented, significant questions would arise regarding the future of global automakers’ operations in Mexico, particularly European manufacturers. Many companies have established factories in Mexico to take advantage of cheaper labor and proximity to the lucrative U.S. market. In response, some automakers may choose to relocate their production facilities to the U.S., abandoning their operations in Mexico.
Bernstein analysts stated in a report to clients that Trump’s tariff threats, if enacted shortly after his inauguration in January, leave little time for automakers and suppliers to adjust to major supply chain disruptions. They wrote: “The consequences of tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada for U.S. manufacturers are so significant that they do not appear to be merely a bargaining tool.”
Similarly, Stifel analysts noted that around 65% of the vehicles Volkswagen sells in the U.S. would lose their competitive edge if tariffs on imports from Mexico were applied. Volkswagen’s largest car plant in Mexico, located in Puebla, produced approximately 350,000 vehicles in 2023, including Jetta, Tiguan, and Taos models, all destined for the U.S. market.
While automakers and suppliers are exploring various scenarios, predicting future developments remains challenging due to the uncertainty surrounding final decisions.
Nick Klein, vice president of Chicago-based OEC, remarked: “Based on past experience, Trump is likely to use the tariff threat as leverage, but predicting his exact actions is difficult.”
Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, has suggested that the European Union should engage in discussions with the U.S. regarding potential tariffs rather than immediately implementing retaliatory measures. Lagarde reiterated previous warnings about the adverse effects of a full-scale trade war, proposing that the EU could offer to purchase certain U.S. goods as a gesture of willingness to negotiate. She also stated that it is still too early to assess the impact of these tariffs, but if implemented, they might cause short-term inflationary effects.
Nagel, a member of the ECB, warned that Trump’s proposed tariffs could increase inflation in the Eurozone, presenting a significant risk. He pointed out that if wage growth slows, upward pressure on prices in the services sector would diminish. He also highlighted that Germany’s economy faces challenges that could lead to a recession in the final quarter of the year, with its economic performance lagging behind the Eurozone average.
Philip Lane, ECB Chief Economist, emphasized that restrictive monetary policies should not be maintained for an extended period. In an interview with Les Echos, he advocated for a gradual reduction in interest rates, noting that the rapid rate hikes have curtailed housing investment and encouraged saving over spending. Lane predicted that most inflation targets will be achieved by next year unless new political or geopolitical risks arise. He stressed that monetary policy should not remain excessively restrictive and that further adjustments are needed to achieve stable inflation. Lane also forecasted a rise in consumption during 2025-2026 and called for monetary policy to address both downside and upside risks.
Meanwhile, a UBS note revealed that despite stronger-than-expected inflation data in the UK and the Bank of England’s recent rate cut, market sentiment toward the British pound remains bearish. The inflation figures align with BOE Governor Andrew Bailey’s cautious stance, consistent with his recent call for a gradual approach to rate cuts. The BOE’s reduction of the base rate by 25 basis points to 4.75% on November 7 fits within this broader strategy.
