If Europe does indeed follow America in becoming more protectionist, it will do so for similar reasons – a fear that Chinese competition is undermining Europe’s industrial base and with it social and political stability.

The automotive sector provides more than 6 percent of jobs in the EU, according to the European Commission. This is often well-paid work that looms large in the self-image of countries such as Germany. Seeing those jobs migrate to China would be politically and socially explosive.

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