Trade in the Political Crosshairs: Europe and Africa
March 4th, 2025, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Founders Room, School of International Service, American University
Trade, today, is dominating headlines once again. How will Europe and Africa be affected? More importantly, how will they respond?
As the second Trump administration takes shape, trade policy is once again at the forefront of global economic discussions. Many of the disruptive policies from Trump’s first term are being amplified, expanding their reach to both geopolitical rivals and key allies. While the Biden administration prioritized strategic coordination with allies and the protection of key industries, it largely avoided traditional market access negotiations. Now, Trump’s second-term trade agenda is broader, more aggressive, and poised to reshape global economic relationships.
This half-day conference will explore these critical trade developments. AU Professor Robert Koopman will open with an in-depth update on global trade flows and policies, providing economic insights into their potential effects. The discussion will then continue with two expert panels examining how Europe and Africa are adapting to the evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape. Panelists will discuss what businesses and governments anticipate in the coming months and how they are approaching global cooperation and integration in this shifting environment.
Post-Conference Resources
Agenda
9:00am – 9:30am: Keynote Speaker
Prof. Robert Koopman provided an overview of recent trade policy developments, recent developments and prospects for global and regional trade, and a summary of potential economic implications of proposed trade policy shifts for the US and its trading partners. View his slides here.
Robert Koopman, AU-SIS Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer and Editor-in-Chief of the Global Value Chain Development Report, 2025
9:35am – 10:35am: Africa’s Trade Landscape in a Shifting Global Order
As global trade policies become more protectionist and uncertain, African economies must navigate new challenges and opportunities. This panel explored how African nations, businesses, and regional trade blocs are responding to shifting U.S. trade policies, the expiration of AGOA, and the evolving role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Panelists will discuss Africa’s trade diversification strategies, supply chain adjustments, and the continent’s positioning in a world shaped by great power competition.
Moderated by Carl LeVan, AU-SIS Professor; Associate Researcher, African Centre for the study of the United States; Editorial Board Member, Journal of Modern African Studies
Panelists:
- Amb. Elsie Kanza, Ambassador of Tanzania to the United States and Mexico
- Florie Liser, President and CEO, Corporate Council on Africa
- Natalie Hanson, Principal and CEO, Textile Trade Solutions
10:35am – 10:50am: Coffee Break
10:50am – 11:50am: Europe’s Trade Strategy Amid Rising U.S. Protectionism
With the second Trump administration doubling down on its aggressive trade stance, Europe faces new policy dilemmas. Will transatlantic trade tensions resurface, or is there room for cooperation? This panel examined the EU’s responses to shifting U.S. trade policies, regulatory divergence, and strategic industries. Panelists will also discuss how European businesses and policymakers are adjusting their trade and investment strategies in a fragmented global economy, while balancing transatlantic relations, economic security, and global competitiveness.
Moderated by Michelle Egan, AU-SIS Professor; Co-Director, Transatlantic Policy Center; and Global Fellow, Wilson Center
Panelists:
- Dan Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council
- Michelangelo Margherita, Head of Trade and Agriculture Section in Washington, European Union
- Tiffany Smith, Vice President for Global Trade Policy, National Foreign Trade Council
11:50am – 12:00pm: Closing Remarks