"It's all about weakening Europe": Economist explains Trump's real plan

Although Trump had already announced tariffs of 20 percent on April 2—the so-called "Liberation Day"—a 90-day moratorium was granted after significant declines on global stock markets to allow for negotiations on possible trade agreements. Since these talks apparently failed to produce the desired results, Trump is now resorting to more drastic measures.

In his online statement, he justified the measure with a long list of allegedly unfair trade practices by the EU: "Your powerful trade barriers, value-added taxes, ridiculous corporate penalties, non-monetary trade barriers, currency manipulation, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American companies, and much more have resulted in a trade deficit with the US of more than $250,000,000 per year, a figure that is completely unacceptable."

However, for German-American economist Rudi Bachmann, there's more to Trump's tariff plans than just a trade dispute. In his recent post on the platform X, Bachmann writes: "What I think is still not fully understood about Trump's tariffs is that it's not about the level, unfair trade practices, etc. It's solely about another attempt (after Ukraine) to weaken Europe."

Bachmann continues:

"Trump and his people have already understood that trade policy is made in Brussels and that sooner or later national politicians will blame Brussels for the tariffs with the US, which in turn will lead to certain electoral decisions."

According to the professor at the University of Notre Dame, this dynamic could encourage increased polarization within the EU and give a boost to Eurosceptic forces.

According to the study, the Cologne region would be the hardest hit: The decline in industrial production alone threatens losses of over six billion euros annually. Hamburg and Darmstadt would also have to expect losses of around five billion euros each.

In light of these figures, increasing numbers of political voices are warning of further escalation – including from the German government. Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) is committed to de-escalation and negotiations in the looming trade war. In an interview with "Bild am Sonntag," he said: "As Europeans, we are united and determined to represent our interests. But: What we need now is not further provocations, but serious negotiations."

Klingbeil also reported on talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He assessed that the US could also suffer significant economic damage from the high tariffs. "The US tariffs endanger the American economy at least as much as the German and European economies. This trade conflict harms everyone and must be ended quickly."

Whether Trump's announcement will actually be implemented remains open for now. In the past, the former president has repeatedly promised high tariffs, only to backtrack. EU Trade Commissioner Šefčovič recently emphasized that they are continuing to work intensively on an agreement that is fair to both sides.