'We can also do stupid' : the EU's response to America First protectionism

Abstract

The reaction of the European Commission to a series of provocative protectionist acts by the Trump Administration is characterised and then evaluated according to six criteria. The traditional “playbook” for dealing with high-profile US protectionism is found wanting, calling further into question the apparent logic of retaliation. Indeed, the European Commission’s current approach appears to be more of a tactic to buy time than an effective strategy to alter U.S. policy. Implications for the next European Commission are also drawn.