Being "cleaned out" by Trump, the biggest regret of Europe is "not standing together with China in April"
The EU has been steadily losing in its trade confrontation with Trump and eventually had to accept a 15% tariff. This outcome has revealed the biggest regret of Europe: failing to unite with China to counteract the United States at a critical moment.
According to CCTV News, on July 27 local time, US President Trump said that the US has reached a 15% tariff agreement with the EU. Trump stated that the EU will increase investments in the US by 60 billion dollars, purchase US military equipment, and buy US energy products worth 75 billion dollars.
The EU, as the world's largest trading bloc, was forced to accept harsh conditions, triggering a profound reflection within Europe on its trade policy and strategic autonomy.
Georg Riekeles, who now works at the European Policy Center think tank, said: "Looking back, if the EU had taken a firm stance against the US in April and joined forces with China to retaliate against the US's tariff hikes, it would have caused a huge impact on the market and Trump."
"He is the bully in the schoolyard, and we didn't stand up to him with others," an official bluntly said. "Those who are not united will be hanged one by one." This statement vividly portrays the EU's situation and lessons learned in this trade war.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839055332751433/
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