Will Europe pivot to Asia on trade?

It could be an attempt to sidestep the impact of Trump's tariffs

Photo composite illustration of Ursula von der Leyen, a shipping container, map of Europe and a handshake
The EU has long 'moved in lockstep' with the United States to present a united front against Beijing on trade
(Image credit: Illustration by Stephen Kelly / Getty Images)

Europe is considering all its options as President Donald Trump prepares to end the 90-day pause on the massive new tariffs he announced in April. One possible strategy for the European Union could be pivoting to Asia as a primary trade partner.

"'Goodbye Trump, hello Asia' is Europe's new trade plan," said Politico. EU President Ursula von der Leyen wants Europe to team up with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) — a 12-country trade group that includes Japan and Australia — to form a "coalition of the willing" that currently accounts for 30% of world trade. The plan would demonstrate that free trade is "possible on a rules-based foundation," said von der Leyen.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.