Many factors lie behind this deterioration between China and the West, which we will discuss below. While Europe and some other Western countries are still more reluctant than the US to start a full blown trade war with China, Europe’s patience with China’s trading practices is increasingly wearing thin, Rabobank’s senior macro strategist Teeuwe Mevissen notes.

Trade between China and the West to deteriorate further

“Until 2018, the trade relationship between China and the West was characterized by a rules-based approach under the WTO framework. The trade relationship between China and the West is expected to deteriorate further.”

“The deterioration in the trade relationship between China and the US began under the Trump administration. The Biden administration has kept most of Trump’s trade measures in place.”

“The EU has been more reluctant to take a hawkish stance on trade with China, but their patience with China’s trading practises is increasingly wearing thin.”