Don’t Give Trump His Transatlantic Trade War
The virus won’t repair U.S. ties with Europe, but an election might. In the meantime, everyone should sit tight.
It’s not easy to see eye to eye.
Photographer: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
Donald Trump is certainly consistent.
The combination of an economic recession (which began in February) and a public-health crisis might have humbled other leaders into changing course. But the U.S. president has no intention of backing down on an “America First” agenda when it comes to dealing with allies and trade partners, especially in an election year. After some hostile moves during the worst of the Covid-19 crisis, such as trying to poach a German vaccine company or to restrict the export of medical equipment, Trump is now threatening more tariffs on Europe in the name of Maine lobster — even though there’s not much trade to speak of happening in the world.