Europe and China must unite against Trump’s trade assault
How EU policymakers can resist American bullying and defend the open, rules-based trade system
[BERLIN] US President Donald Trump’s misguided trade war against the rest of the world could mark the beginning of the end for both his political dominance and his Maga (Make America Great Again) movement – but only if Germany and Europe can coordinate a powerful international response.
The European Commission and the outgoing German government’s biggest mistake was to signal a willingness to concede to Trump’s demands, potentially turning his economic blunder into a political victory. It should be clear by now that appeasing Trump will only hasten the collapse of the multilateral trading system, and further undermine democratic governance worldwide.
The European Union’s response will be pivotal in determining whether the Trump administration (which is intent on dismantling the multilateral trading order) or China (which seeks to preserve it) will prevail. European leaders face a clear choice: stand for multilateralism and align with China, or side with Trump’s Maga-fied US. There is no third option.
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