Euro area economic growth accelerated in the first quarter as exports may have benefited from higher demand from the U.S. ahead of the imposition of higher trade tariffs. The quarterly growth in gross domestic product doubled to 0.4 percent from 0.2 percent seen in the fourth quarter of 2024, preliminary flash estimates from Eurostat showed on Wednesday.

The Indian rupee strengthened against the U.S. dollar in the European session on Wednesday, as investor mood was bolstered by trade-deal prospects and foreign fund inflows.

The Bank of Thailand reduced its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point, as expected, to withstand the downside risks to the growth outlook amid the heightened uncertainty posed by trade policies of major economies. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 5-2 to cut the policy rate to 1.75 percent from 2.00 percent. Two members voted to maintain the interest rate at 2.00 percent.

The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Wednesday as European stock markets traded higher amid expectations of a potential trade deal with the United States.

The Australian dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday, following the release of a slight firmer than expected consumer price data.

The German economy recovered in the first quarter driven by higher private consumption and investment, flash data from Destatis revealed on Wednesday. Gross domestic product grew 0.2 percent sequentially, offsetting the 0.2 percent fall in the preceding quarter. The rate also matched economists' expectations. The calendar-adjusted GDP posted an annual fall of 0.2 percent.

UK house price declined more than expected in April following the end of stamp duty holidays, data from the Nationwide Building Society showed Wednesday. House prices logged a monthly drop of 0.6 percent after remaining flat in March. The decline was worse than economists' forecast of 0.1 percent. On a yearly basis, house price growth eased to 3.4 percent from 3.9 percent in the previous month.

China's manufacturing activity contracted in April as tariff threats damped export orders, official purchasing managers' survey data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed Wednesday. The official manufacturing PMI slid to 49.0 in April from 50.5 in March. This was the lowest score in 16 months and also remained below forecast of 49.7.

The French economy avoided a technical recession in the first quarter with a marginal expansion, official data revealed on Wednesday. Gross domestic product grew 0.1 percent from the fourth quarter, when the economy shrank 0.1 percent, flash data from the statistical office INSEE revealed. The rate came in line with expectations.