The euro has weakened at the start of the new week. EUR/USD slumped over the weekend and dropped as low as 1.0141, its lowest level since Nov. 2022. The euro has recovered somewhat on Monday and is trading at 1.0277 in the North American session. Still, the euro has dropped 0.76% since Friday’s close.
US hits Canada with tariffs, Mexico gets reprieve
US President Trump hasn’t wasted any time and imposed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada over the weekend, effective February 4. Mexico and Canada have both announced retaliatory tariffs in response. Earlier today, just one day before the tariffs were to take effect, the US announced that the tariffs against Mexico would be delayed for a month. The breather is good news, but the US could still find itself embroiled in a trade war with its two neighbors, in what is the world’s largest trade zone.
Eurozone CPI accelerates to 2.5%
Inflation in the eurozone ticked upwards to 2.5% y/y in January from 2.4% in December, above the market estimate of 2.4%. This was the highest CPI level since July 2024, driven mainly by a sharp jump in energy prices. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, remained unchanged at 2.7% y/y for a fifth straight month, just above the market estimate of 2.6%. This is above the European Central Bank’s 2% target but is the lowest level since January 2022. Services inflation, which is closely watched by the ECB, eased to 3.9% in January, down from 4% in December.
Today’s inflation report affirms that inflationary risks remain and could complicate the ECB’s plans to reduce interest rates and kick-start the weak eurozone economy. The ECB meets next on March 6.
EUR/USD Technical
- EUR/USD has pushed above resistance at 1.0244 and is testing resistance at 1.0297
- There is support at 1.0203 and 1.0175