Would Donald Trump’s trade tariffs hurt Europe?

“The EU hasn't been doing what the US has in terms of decoupling from China and reducing imports. This is one of the few things that's been keeping the European economy afloat,” Zach Meyers, assistant director at the Centre for European Reform (CER), explained.

“But how long will the US continue to allow Europe to straddle both horses at the same time? I think it’s a difficult question,” he added.

“The EU and others will be keen to offer Trump a carrot, something to give him the facade of saying that he's gotten away with a huge success,” Meyers said. 

“This is exactly what we saw under the Trump presidency, where you had both the Commission President and Chinese leaders signing these agreements to buy up American goods.”