Can Biden Match Trump's EU Trade Aggressiveness With China?

Michael

3 min read

Post on Aug 01, 2025

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Can Biden Match Trump's EU Trade Aggressiveness with China? A Transatlantic Tightrope Walk

The relationship between the US, the EU, and China is a complex tapestry woven with threads of trade, geopolitical strategy, and economic competition. While Donald Trump's presidency was marked by aggressive trade tactics against China, President Biden faces the challenge of navigating a similar landscape with a different approach. Can he match Trump's assertiveness while maintaining crucial transatlantic alliances? The answer is far from simple.

Trump's "America First" policy resulted in a trade war with China, characterized by hefty tariffs and escalating tensions. This approach, while aiming to protect American industries, also strained relationships with traditional allies in the EU, who felt the repercussions of the resulting global trade disruption. The question now is whether Biden's administration can effectively counter China's economic influence without alienating European partners.

Biden's Subtle, Yet Strategic Approach

Unlike Trump's blunt instrument approach, Biden's strategy is more nuanced. He emphasizes multilateralism and working with allies to address shared concerns about China's trade practices. This includes focusing on:

• Strengthening alliances: Biden prioritizes repairing relationships damaged during the Trump era, recognizing that a unified front against China is more effective than unilateral action. This involves closer cooperation with the EU on issues ranging from technology standards to market access.
• Targeting specific practices: Instead of broad tariffs, the Biden administration is focusing on addressing specific unfair trade practices, such as intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer. This targeted approach aims to minimize collateral damage to global trade.
• Investing in domestic industries: Similar to Trump's focus, Biden's administration is investing heavily in domestic manufacturing and technology through initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This aims to boost American competitiveness and reduce reliance on Chinese goods.

The EU's Perspective: A Cautious Partner

The EU, while sharing concerns about China's trade practices, also seeks to maintain a balanced relationship. Complete alignment with the US against China isn't necessarily in the EU's best economic interest. They are seeking:

• Independent trade agreements: The EU prioritizes its own trade negotiations with China, aiming for reciprocal market access and fairer trade practices.
• Avoiding a new trade war: The EU experienced significant economic fallout from the Trump-era trade war and is wary of similar escalations. They favor a more measured approach to managing the China relationship.
• Maintaining its own strategic autonomy: The EU aims to forge its own path in global affairs, rather than being solely reliant on the US for its trade and security policies.

The Challenges Ahead: A Balancing Act

While Biden's approach appears more collaborative, matching Trump's level of aggressiveness presents significant challenges:

• Maintaining unity with the EU: Balancing the need for a strong stance against China with the EU's desire for independent action requires skillful diplomacy and compromise.
• Addressing China's economic might: China's economic size and influence pose a considerable challenge, requiring a long-term, multifaceted strategy.
• Navigating domestic political pressures: The US faces internal pressure to take a tougher stance on China, potentially pushing Biden towards more aggressive tactics.

Conclusion: A Long Game

The question of whether Biden can match Trump's trade aggressiveness with China isn't simply about matching the intensity of tariffs. It's about achieving similar strategic objectives – countering unfair trade practices and protecting national interests – through a different, more collaborative approach. The success of Biden's strategy will depend on his ability to navigate the complex transatlantic relationship, build strong alliances, and effectively counter China's economic influence without triggering a destructive trade war. This is a long game, and only time will tell if his nuanced approach proves as effective as Trump's more confrontational tactics. The stakes are high, for both the US and the EU, as they continue to grapple with the economic and geopolitical implications of China's rise.