ECB’s Villeroy: Timing of rate hike hinges on whether or not current slowdown is a blip

In an interview with Reuters on Sunday, the following comments by the European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Francois Villeroy de Galhau were reported.

Timing of rate hike hinges on whether or not the current slowdown is a blip.

The key question will be if the slowdown is temporary or more durable.

There is a strong convergence about sequencing next policy steps.

Economic outlook clouded by the threat of protectionism and Brexit.

ECB would be pragmatic in use of its main policy tools.