This paper first shows that, contrary to conventional wisdom, the European Central Bank (ECB) can influence global energy prices. Second, through Lucas critique-robust counterfactual analysis, we uncover that the ECB’s ability to affect fast-moving energy prices plays an important role in the transmission of monetary policy. Third, we empirically document that, to optimally fulfill its primary mandate, the ECB should swiftly tighten policy in response to an increase in energy prices. Crucially, the tightening required depends on the ECB’s ability to influence global energy prices. Finally, we find this policy strategy could have largely prevented the post-pandemic inflation episode.

In macroeconomic models featuring borrowing-constrained agents, the effects of monetary policy depend on the fiscal reaction to interest rate changes. This paper presents new evidence on the dynamic causal effects of U.S. monetary policy shocks on fiscal instruments and estimates a Heterogeneous Agent New Keynesian model with fiscal feedback rules to match the empirical results. I find that U.S. fiscal policy responds to monetary-induced output contractions with debt-financed, countercyclical tax and transfer policies, amid a gradual decline in spending to accommodate the debt increase. The model implies that monetary policy unopposed by a business cycle stabilization motive of fiscal policy would be roughly one third more contractionary.