First quarter growth proved better than expected in Europe. In both the Euro Area and EU as a whole, GDP expanded 0.3% as Germany returned to growth and Spain, Ireland, and the Baltics (among others) reported strong expansions. These green shoots are welcome following a challenging 2023 in the EU and growth is expected to gradually pick up over the course of the year as the headwinds from tight financial conditions fade and falling inflation along with a still solid labor market helps boo...