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

 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.