GermanyDéguó德国economy / economicjīngjì经济economic sentiment / business climatejǐngqì景气indexzhǐshù指数sharply / by a large margindàfú大幅to slide down / to fallxiàhuá下滑，marketshìchǎng市场confidencexìnxīn信心suffered / took a hitzāoshòu遭受a heavy blow / sharp setbackzhòngcuò重挫。
April 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM
New Words
News in English
BusinessGerman ZEW Economic Sentiment Index Plunges to Three-Year Low in April 2026
Germany ZEW economic sentiment index fell from plus 58.3 in February to minus 17.2 in April 2026, a drop of 75.5 points in two months and the sharpest two-month decline since the Russia-Ukraine War began.
Germany's economic research institute ZEW index shows that German economic sentiment expectations have sharply deteriorated within just two months.
The index fell from 58.3 points in February to minus 17.2 points in April, with a decline magnitude of 75.5 points.
Analysts point out that the pace of such a sharp drop is comparable to the initial period when the Russia-Ukraine War broke out in March 2022.
Increased global trade uncertainty and pressure from US tariff policy are leading to declining business and investor confidence.
Germany is Europe's largest economy, and its economic condition significantly impacts the entire Eurozone's trajectory.
Germany's manufacturing industry, particularly the automotive and petrochemical sectors, faces pressure as overseas demand weakens and energy costs rise.
Analysts warned that if trade tensions persist, Germany's economy may face recession risk this year.
ECB officials stated they will closely monitor the economic situation in each member state and take appropriate measures when necessary.
More in Business
Amazon (company)Yǎmǎxùn亚马逊to receive / to getshōudào收到$600 million6 yì měiyuán6亿美元tax refund / tariff refundtuìshuì退税，will (future marker)jiāng将a portion / partbùfèn部分to return / to refundfǎnhuán返还to / forgěi给customersgùkè顾客。
Amazon Receives 600 Million Dollars in Tariff Refunds and Will Return Some to Customers
ChinaZhōngguó中国in July / for Julyqīyuèfèn七月份manufacturing sectorzhìzàoyè制造业PMI (Purchasing Managers Index)PMIPMIto drop to / fall todiè zhì跌至49.2 (contraction territory)49.249.2，five monthswǔ gè yuè五个月within the past period / sincelái来for the first timeshǒucì首次to contract / to shrinkwěisuō萎缩。
China Manufacturing PMI Falls to 49.2 in July, First Contraction in Five Months
Bank of EnglandYīnggélán yínháng英格兰银行by / withyǐ以six votes to threeliù bǐ sān piào六比三票to maintain / to keepwéichí维持base interest rate / benchmark ratejīzhǔn lìlǜ基准利率3.75 percent3.75%3.75%unchanged / constantbúbiàn不变。
Bank of England Holds Rate at 3.75% as Monetary Policy Committee Votes 6-3
the United StatesMěiguó美国second quarter / Q2dì èr jìdù第二季度GDP (gross domestic product)GDPGDPto grow / growthzēngzhǎng增长1.5 percent1.5%1.5%，lower than / belowdīyú低于marketshìchǎng市场expectations / forecastyùqī预期。
US Economy Grows 1.5% in Second Quarter, Below Market Expectations