Roadbloc

The E.U. is threatening to use one of its most powerful weapons in trade talks with Uncle Sam: love. 

Kidding, it’s called the Anti-Coercion Instrument. The ACI is a legal tool that allows the 27-country bloc to push back against hostile trading partners in “extraordinary situations.” Possible measures include new taxes on U.S. tech companies providing digital services (which are unaffected by tariffs), blocking U.S. companies from public-sector work in Europe, restricting investment in U.S. companies, and regular ol’ tariffs on U.S. goods.

Some European leaders are advocating for the ACI—considered the “nuclear option”—after President Trump announced a 30% tariff on the E.U. starting August 1.

While talk is tough, both sides say they want to salvage the world’s largest bilateral agreement, which enabled $1.5T in trade (mostly cars, booze, and pharmaceuticals) last year.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
No matter which side of the pond we’re on, we long for our leaders to guarantee prosperity in an uncertain world. Wealth comes and goes—only King Jesus will receive tribute from the whole world.

“May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Let all kings bow in homage to him, all nations serve him. For he will rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.” 
Psalm 72:10-12 (CSB) (read full passage)