EU leaders have agreed to pursue a “Buy European” policy to safeguard strategic industries in response to increasing global economic volatility and declining competitiveness. This initiative aims to bolster sectors like defense, clean tech, and AI by prioritizing European-made goods in public procurement. The move signifies a shift towards greater protectionism, with plans to introduce an Industrial Accelerator Act to set targets for European content in key products and simplify regulations to boost the single market. While there is broad consensus on the need for action, debates are emerging regarding the scope of “Buy European” and the balance between protectionism and open free trade.
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President Trump’s aluminum tariffs, intended to boost domestic production, have instead driven up costs for American consumers and led to smelter closures. The tariffs have increased regional delivery premiums, making aluminum significantly more expensive in the U.S. compared to Europe. This cost increase is passed on to downstream users, resulting in price hikes for products like car cargo boxes. High energy costs, exacerbated by competition from the tech sector, are the primary obstacle to reviving U.S. aluminum smelting.
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The Trump White House cited my research to justify tariffs. They got it all wrong. It’s frustrating, to say the least, to see your work twisted to support policies that are fundamentally flawed. My research, which they selectively quoted, never intended to endorse the reckless application of tariffs without a comprehensive industrial policy. The administration’s approach was not just misguided, it was demonstrably incompetent.
Instead of employing a thoughtful strategy, the administration seemed to operate on gut feelings and a lack of understanding of basic economics. They treated tariffs as a silver bullet, ignoring the potential for unintended consequences and the complexities of international trade.… Continue reading
Emmanuel Macron’s recent warning about the potential demise of the EU should serve as a wake-up call for all of us who believe in the power and promise of a united Europe. The French president’s bold statements about the bloc being over-regulated and under-invested hit home hard, forcing us to confront the harsh reality that the EU is falling behind in the global economic race. As Macron pointed out, both the US and China are outpacing the EU in economic output and investment, leaving us vulnerable and at risk of becoming obsolete.
It’s clear that a radical transformation is needed to revitalize the EU and ensure its continued relevance on the world stage.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood