Inflation in Europe eased to an annual 2.4% in February, supporting the case for another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank - but leaving open how far the central bank will go in lowering borrowing costs for an economy that's still struggling to show robust growth.

For four years, the ECB has been trying to slow the economy down, raising its key deposit rate to a record 4 percent to choke off inflation, before gradually lifting its foot off the brake since June. Next week’s expected rate cut will be the sixth in the current sequence, and will bring the deposit rate down to 2.5 percent.

The European Central Bank has room to cut its interest rates further if inflation eases to its 2% goal this year as it expects, ECB policymaker Joachim Nagel said on Tuesday, adding the outlook for prices was "encouraging".

The European Central Bank (ECB) is set to reduce its interest rate further this week due to economic concerns. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has vowed to impose 25% tariffs on the EU, sparking concerns of a further growth slowdown.

The ECB lowered borrowing costs for the fourth straight time last week and hinted at even more policy easing since inflation could be back at its 2% goal by late summer, economic growth is anaemic and a trade war was a distinct possibility.

Inflation in Europe eased to an annual 2.4% in February, supporting the case for another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank — but leaving open how far the central bank will go in lowering borrowing costs for an economy that’s still struggling to show robust growth.

Euro zone inflation eased to 2.4% in February but came in slightly above analyst expectations, according to flash data from statistics agency Eurostat. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected inflation to dip to 2.

Euro zone inflation eased to 2.4% in February but came in slightly above analyst expectations, according to flash data from statistics agency Eurostat out on Monday. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected inflation to dip to 2.