Recognizing the opportunity Trump has gifted him, Chinese president Xi Jinping recently waived sanctions on European Union parliamentarians and exchanged celebratory letters with EU leaders on the 50th anniversary of EU-China political relations. Xi hopes to dangle investment and cooperation as a remedy to the damage Trump’s tariffs will cause to already weak European economies. Trump’s unpredictability on Ukraine has also damaged America’s credibility as Europe’s ultimate partner of choice.
Trump’s self-inflicted wound to U.S. foreign policy is made worse by its inane economic foundation: U.S.-European trade has manifestly improved the lives of the vast majority of Americans and Europeans. In contrast, Chinese trade with Europe is increasingly defined by a single word: Chinese dumping. Again, Xi senses the tides are moving in his favor.
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