Finance
ECB's Panetta says Chinese imports helped drive sharper‑than‑forecast inflation drop
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 21, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 21, 2026
Quick Summary
ECB’s Fabio Panetta says cheap Chinese imports are contributing to a faster‑than‑expected Eurozone inflation drop after January’s 1.7% print. He flags two‑sided risks and notes March projections will guide a flexible policy stance.
ECB’s Panetta: Cheaper Chinese Imports Accelerated Eurozone Inflation Drop
By Valentina Za
VENICE, Italy, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Risks to euro zone inflation are "significant" in either direction, a top European Central Bank policymaker warned on Saturday, adding that the impact on prices of cheap Chinese imports warranted close attention.
ECB Outlook on Inflation Drivers and Risks
After a sharper-than-expected slowdown in inflation in early 2026, new economic projections from ECB staff in March will provide additional elements to guide monetary policy decisions in the coming months, ECB Governing Council member Fabio Panetta said.
Balanced Inflation Risks and Policy Stance
"Both upside and downside inflationary risks are significant," Panetta, who leads Italy's central bank, said in the text of a speech delivered at the Assiom-Forex financial conference.
"Monetary policy must keep a flexible approach, anchored to the medium-term outlook and based on a comprehensive assessment of the data and their implications for inflation and growth," he added.
Euro zone inflation fell to a 16-month low of 1.7% in January, below the ECB's 2% target, prompting some policymakers to warn price growth could slow too much.
Panetta said the inflation dip did not "significantly alter the medium-term assessment, but highlights a number of aspects to be monitored".
Chinese Imports’ Disinflationary Effect
"The main one is the trend in imports from China," he added.
Volumes Up, Prices Down
Chinese imports to the euro zone are up by 27% in volume terms since the start of 2024, with prices down by 8%, he said, adding that this was driving down the price of goods exposed to Chinese competition.
"The disinflationary impact remains limited for the time being, but is already visible – with the prices of the goods most exposed to Chinese competition decelerating faster than the rest – and could become more pronounced in the coming months."
Other Downside Pressures: Euro and Markets
Further downward risks to inflation come from a possible additional strengthening of the euro or a correction in financial markets, where corporate equity and bonds may not be adequately pricing economic risks.
Upside Risks: Energy and Geopolitics
"On the other hand, energy markets remain exposed to geopolitical tensions," he said, with inflationary risks coming from higher commodity prices or a further fragmentation of global supply chains driving up input costs.
(Reporting by Valentina Za; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Key Takeaways
- •Eurozone inflation fell to 1.7% in January 2026, a 16‑month low below the ECB’s 2% target.
- •Fabio Panetta warns both upside and downside inflation risks are significant.
- •He says Chinese imports—higher volumes and lower prices—are adding disinflationary pressure.
- •ECB staff projections due in March will inform upcoming monetary policy decisions.
- •Further risks include a stronger euro or market corrections; energy tensions could push prices up.
Frequently Asked Questions about ECB's Panetta says Chinese imports helped drive sharper‑than‑forecast inflation drop
1What is the main topic?
ECB policymaker Fabio Panetta says cheaper Chinese imports are helping drive a sharper‑than‑expected drop in Eurozone inflation, while warning of significant two‑sided risks to the outlook.
2How low did Eurozone inflation fall in January 2026?
Inflation eased to 1.7% in January 2026, its lowest in 16 months and below the ECB’s 2% target, prompting debate over how policy should respond.
3What risks to inflation did Panetta highlight?
Downside risks include stronger euro and market corrections, while upside risks stem from energy market tensions and potential supply chain fragmentation.
