Rise in American Protectionism: A Certainty Amid Trade Chaos
Regardless of future US decisions, a return to the preexisting global trade order seems unlikely: trade with the United States is bound to become more expensive and more difficult.
By Antoine Bouët, Houssein Guimbard
PostBetween January 21, 2025—the day of President Trump's inauguration—and April 2, Liberation Day, average U.S. tariffs imposed on all trading partners rose from 5% to 23.7%, before falling back to 16.1% at the end of May. This represents a 4.7-fold increase in just over two months, followed by a one-third decrease in under six weeks. As of now, the U.S. administration has yet to determine the future direction of its tariff policy.
If the “pause” in effect since early June were to continue, economic activity in China and the United States would decline in the medium term by 0.7% and 0.9% respectively. For European countries, the macroeconomic impact would remain limited, albeit concentrated in key sectors: transport equipment in France, and vehicles and auto parts in Germany.
To find out more, read Protectionnisme américain : les enjeux du 9 juillet 2025 et Les droits de douane seront-ils appliqués par Donald Trump le 9 juillet prochain ?
If the “pause” in effect since early June were to continue, economic activity in China and the United States would decline in the medium term by 0.7% and 0.9% respectively. For European countries, the macroeconomic impact would remain limited, albeit concentrated in key sectors: transport equipment in France, and vehicles and auto parts in Germany.
To find out more, read Protectionnisme américain : les enjeux du 9 juillet 2025 et Les droits de douane seront-ils appliqués par Donald Trump le 9 juillet prochain ?
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