Is Mr Trichet trying to have it both ways?

EUROPEAN Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet looks to be trying to have it both ways on the economy right now.

Earlier this week he told the European Parliament that, although the European Central Bank (ECB) was sticking with its forecast for 2% growth this year, risks to this figure were growing.

Then just in case he might be indicating a softening on the bank’s stance on interest rates, he stressed the importance of keeping inflation under control.