We’re used to the notion of American exceptionalism. But the tidal wave of isolationist and protectionist policies that is about to hit us comes at a bad time, when wars — hot, cold and trade — are destabilising the geopolitical landscape.
Washington’s withdrawal from multilateral trade creates a vacuum — and vacuums, in geopolitics, are always filled. The question for African and European business is whether they are positioned to fill it. The case for a deeper, more commercially-grounded Africa-Europe partnership has never been stronger.