Euro area growth has slowed, current account imbalances endure and core inflation remains low, despite declining unemployment and gradual wage growth. There are major threats to stability, including prolonged trade tensions, the prospect of the UK withdrawing from the European Union without a deal, and high-debt countries’ vulnerability to the next economic downturn. Poul Thomsen, director of the International Monetary Fund’s European department, will discuss the path forward. This meeting will cover prolonged monetary accommodation, challenges for fiscal policy, and developments in the euro area architecture.
Speaker: Poul Thomsen, Director of European Department, International Monetary Fund