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Nanovic Institute for European Studies Indeed, these European Commission proposals are ripe for continued tensions between the U.S. and EU. Though the Biden administration has rejoined the Paris Agreement, therefore avoiding the possibility of major disagreements over free trade deals, U.S. businesses may be subject to increased costs for European trading and operations due to lax climate policies in America. In 2019, some European countries threatened to levy carbon tariffs on goods from the U.S. and other countries whose climate policies missed European marks.160 Yet another consequence of the United States’ negligence on climate action is the positioning of China alongside the EU as a global climate policy leader. China set ambitious goals after the September 2020 EU-China summit: greenhouse gas emissions peaking in 2030 and climate neutrality by 2060.161 This is viewed by experts as Xi Jinping jockeying for stronger influence in global politics as the main EU climate partner. The rivalry between the U.S. and China can be leveraged by the EU to influence both countries’ climate policies. Several European leaders welcome the role of global leader in climate action and arbiter between the U.S. and China, namely France’s President Macron, who views Europe as the party responsible for keeping China within the Paris Agreement after Trump’s withdrawal.162 Climate is one policy arena that exemplifies the incredible challenges and opportunities the Biden administration faces in the wake of the Trump presidency. If thoughtful and strategic actions are taken to signal to the world that the United States is serious about preventing further environmental degradation before it is too late, the U.S. will undoubtedly regain favor with their European allies. However, the United States is no longer the only ally Europe may call upon to achieve their own climate ambitions.
Europe’s Extreme Parties While Europe’s leadership in the area of climate policy is strengthening, European leaders must also be wary of their own changing political landscape. Extreme parties within European borders and at both ends of the political spectrum pose concerning trends that may seek to destabilize EU integration through radical agendas that give priority to identity and
University of Notre Dame | Keough School of Global Affairs
