But Bernanke's comments Tuesday seem to indicate that the central bank has turned a corner and is now focusing more on curbinginflation than stimulating economic growth.
By curbinginflation, it also gives Mr Trichet an opportunity to cut interest rates, if only he would take it he and his colleagues at the ECB held rates steady at a meeting last Thursday.
The success of America and Europe in trimming budget deficits and curbinginflation also means that policymakers have room to cut interest rates or taxes to keep their economies healthy, should Japan's recession prove severe.