The ECB can again delay the rate hike if necessary: ​​Draghi

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – The eurozone is facing a more persistent deterioration in external demand and the European Central Bank is ready to delay interest rates if necessary, said Wednesday the ECB President Mario Draghi.

"As we did at our March meeting, we would ensure that monetary policy continues to accompany the economy by adjusting our key interest rate expectations to reflect the new outlook for inflation." ", said Mr Draghi at a conference in Frankfurt.

Earlier this month, the ECB turned the tide, offering banks a new liquidity facility and delaying an expected rate hike, as growth and inflation slowed more than expected due to lingering uncertainty.

Nevertheless, the bank argued that the risk of recession remained low and that growth would continue. An increase in rates from unprecedented lows remains on the table for 2020.