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Hubertus Bardt / Galina Kolev IW-Policy Paper No. 16 17. August 2020 Biden Versus Trump: Positions in Trade, Economic and Climate Policy

The American elections in November 2020 will be of great importance not only to the US itself, but also to Europe and Germany. While transatlantic cooperation has suffered under the current administration, a change of government has the chance for a new beginning.

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Positions in Trade, Economic and Climate Policy
Hubertus Bardt / Galina Kolev IW-Policy Paper No. 16 17. August 2020

Biden Versus Trump: Positions in Trade, Economic and Climate Policy

IW-Policy Paper

German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

The American elections in November 2020 will be of great importance not only to the US itself, but also to Europe and Germany. While transatlantic cooperation has suffered under the current administration, a change of government has the chance for a new beginning.


 In economic policy, the two presidential candidates differ fundamentally. Particularly, in climate and trade policy, concrete effects are to be expected, which are of great importance to Europe. With regard to climate policy, a President Biden has announced to return to the Paris climate agreement. Tighter regulations would also be expected in domestic climate policy. However, it is unlikely that emissions will be priced at a level that could harmonize the conditions of competition. Emissions trading or other pricing instruments do not appear in the programme of Biden or his party. In trade policy, too, a new government would bring changes, although the Democrats' platform is strongly protectionist. The trade conflict with China would remain critical, but the approach towards Europe could become more cooperative. Further opportunities exist in securing the multilateral trade order, as the willingness to cooperate and to bind rules is greater than with the current government.

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Positions in Trade, Economic and Climate Policy
Hubertus Bardt / Galina Kolev IW-Policy Paper No. 16 17. August 2020

Hubertus Bardt / Galina Kolev: Biden versus Trump – Positionen in der Handels-, Wirtschafts- und Klimapolitik

IW-Policy Paper

German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

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Der ehemalige Präsident Trump hält eine Wahlkampfveranstaltung in Greensboro, North Carolina
Thomas Obst / Jürgen Matthes / Samina Sultan IW-Report No. 14 4. March 2024

What if Trump is re-elected?

A possible re-election of Donald Trump as US president in November 2024 could entail a significant upheaval for the world trading order, if he fulfills his announcements to raise tariffs, mainly in order to reduce the US trade deficit.

IW

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Samina Sultan / Gero Kunath / Henrik Förster/ Jürgen Matthes IW-Report No. 9 15. February 2024

Indonesia: A new Indo-Pacific partner?

Indonesia will elect a new president on 14 February. After ten successful years in office, Joko Widodo is not allowed to run for office again. He has ushered in an era of reform in the country.

IW

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