Two French chief economists cited in separate reports say the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank are likely to diverge in their policy paths in the aftermath of the war-related economic shock. Both sources indicate that recent data—described as pointing to weakness in the labor market—do not change the view that the Fed will still need to raise interest rates this year. The economists’ outlook contrasts with expectations for the ECB, implying a different timing or pace for European policy tightening.
One report emphasizes that even with Thursday’s figures suggesting softer labor conditions, the Fed’s required next steps remain rate hikes within the year. The other source repeats the same core assessment and attributes it to two French chief economists, reinforcing the consistency of the interpretation across outlets. Together, the articles frame the issue as a comparison of U.S. and euro-area responses to evolving economic indicators, with the Fed facing continued pressure to tighten policy while the ECB’s trajectory is expected to differ.
