Gastkommentar: Neue US-Handelspolitik: Gegen Europas Zölle gibt es keine Lobby

The Democrats' unprecedented victory in the Midterms is unlikely to trigger a fundamental shift in US trade policy. While tariffs have become increasingly unpopular, public perception has linked them to higher prices. As such, politicians are expected to be hesitant about openly proposing tariffs, let alone praising their benefits, as President Trump repeatedly did.

However, voters only expressed their discontent with high inflation during the voting process, with trade rarely ranking as a top issue in any relevant survey. The election is likely to bring about some notable shifts in US foreign economic policy, but these will be far from strategic or coherent. The world can expect laws promoting a more confrontational stance towards the Chinese economy, a stance that enjoys support in both congressional parties, even if it wasn't a factor in the election campaign.