Commercial Resilience Amid Turbulence
摘要
The turbulent year of 2025 entailed serious challenges, but also showcased the resilience of the transatlantic economic relationship. President Trump employed a purposeful and deliberate strategy of uncertainty, and the term trade war was permanently cemented in the public vocabulary. The chapter explains the context leading up to and including deals struck in 2025 before discussing some of the remaining challenges and difficulties. The separate agreements struck with the European Union, UK, and Switzerland, and the tariffs imposed on Norway, were indicative of how American trade policy has shifted away from experienced bureaucrats engaging in careful, multi-year negotiations with partners on complex issues toward making quick deals heralded as major accomplishments for the American people. The results were higher tariffs on European imports to the US and reduced tariffs on American goods heading to Europe, while some goods and all services were unaffected; other parts of the deals were vague and short on substance. Companies did what they do best. They acted in self-interest. Certain transatlantic investments increased. The transatlantic trade and investment relationship is resilient. There will be changes, but it will remain deep, substantial, and important.