Trump's Shadow Drives Major Asia-Europe Trade and Strategic Deals
Asian and European leaders strengthen ties and partnerships amid global uncertainty linked to Trump's policies.
Leaders across Asia and Europe are strengthening diplomatic and economic partnerships amid growing uncertainty in the global order, influenced in part by the policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump. While his name is rarely mentioned, officials acknowledge the disruptions caused by his trade and foreign policies.
In Beijing, the UK and China called for a “long-term, stable, and comprehensive strategic partnership” on Thursday, emphasizing the need for enduring cooperation. Despite a decade-long effort to build such a partnership, progress has often been slow, highlighting the symbolic weight of the recent reaffirmation.
About 1,100 kilometers south in Hanoi, Vietnam and the European Union upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, placing Vietnam on the same diplomatic footing as the U.S., China, and Russia. The move reflects a broader trend of countries seeking diversification in trade and diplomatic relations.
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Two days earlier in New Delhi, the EU and India finalized a long-delayed free trade accord, covering industries from textiles to pharmaceuticals. The deal, hailed as the “mother of all agreements,” will reduce India’s tariffs on European goods, including wine and automobiles, and marks a significant step in EU-Asia economic collaboration.
Experts say Trump’s import tariffs and other policy shifts have incentivized countries to seek new markets, reducing dependence on American consumers. Leaders in Beijing, New Delhi, and Hanoi all referenced global instability and uncertainty, framing partnerships as a hedge against disruptions to the post-Cold War international system.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged cooperation with China for global stability, while Chinese leader Xi Jinping described the international situation as “complex and ever-changing.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the EU partnership as a stabilizing force amid “turmoil in the global order,” echoing European Council President António Costa’s call for reliable, predictable international alliances.
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