BoE Governor seeks stable bond yields amid Trump trade moves

Published 19/02/2025, 17:54
© Reuters.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey expressed his desire for greater stability in the medium and long-term bond yields, which have experienced volatility due to market speculation around U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies.

This volatility was evident in January when British government borrowing costs initially surged before settling down as investors adjusted to potential global inflation risks stemming from Trump’s proposed tariffs on trade partners.

Bailey, speaking at a Brussels event hosted by the think tank Bruegel, attributed the fluctuations in the term premium—the additional interest demanded by investors for holding longer-dated debt—to pronouncements from Washington regarding tariffs. "It is what’s coming out of Washington on tariffs that is moving that term premium around, day by day and hour by hour," he stated.

The BoE Governor also aligned his views with those of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who earlier in February mentioned efforts with President Trump to manage yields on 10-year U.S. government debt. Bailey regarded Bessent’s focus on this segment of the yield curve as "very wise."

Reiterating his previous warnings, Bailey cautioned that trade barriers could detrimentally affect global economic growth. However, he noted that the impact on inflation is less certain.

"The situation for inflation in a country that faces tariffs is actually fairly ambiguous in terms of what happens, because it depends upon trade redirection, it depends upon whatever measures are taken in response, and it depends upon the reaction of exchange rates," Bailey explained.

The volatility in bond yields and the broader economic concerns come against the backdrop of a notable increase in UK inflation in January, which exceeded expectations.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.