The European Central Bank (ECB) should avoid cutting interest rates prematurely to maintain progress in curbing inflation, said Joachim Nagel, an ECB Governing Council member. Nagel emphasized the importance of staying vigilant, as inflation remains above the bank’s target despite recent improvements. This cautious stance signals the ECB’s commitment to sustaining monetary tightening until economic conditions stabilize.
Nagel’s comments align with the ECB’s broader strategy of combating inflation while balancing growth risks. Analysts note that a hasty reversal of rate hikes could undermine the bank’s efforts to ensure price stability, a key pillar of its mandate. His remarks underscore the ECB’s focus on long-term economic stability over short-term gains, suggesting that any rate cuts will likely come later rather than sooner.