Trans-Pacific View author Mercy Kuo regularly engages subject-matter experts, policy practitioners, and strategic thinkers across the globe for their diverse insights into U.S. Asia policy.  This conversation with Rachel Tausendfreund, editorial director of the German Marshall Fund (GMF), is the 260th in “The Trans-Pacific View Insight Series.” 

Identify key recommendations in a recent GMF report on improving transatlantic relations and coordination on major China issues.  

There are different concrete steps and some varying nuances – but the key in every case is that President Biden must work with allies to forge a common approach, which will require some pushing, but also some giving. For example, at the WTO we already saw the Biden administration end one impasse the Trump team had created over the director general nomination. Reforming the dispute settlement procedures will be a more difficult compromise. But certainly, getting the WTO back on track and working with allies to offer a united front both inside and outside the WTO toward fairer trade practices vis-à-vis China, including issues such as industrial subsidies and market access, is a key recommendation.