There are few things as predictable in global politics as Brussels being caught off guard. Once again, the EU, comfortably numb in its own echo chamber, finds itself scrambling to respond to Washington’s latest move: with Donald Trump back, the US is embarking on a new round of tariffs and this time Europe is firmly in the crosshairs.

Of course, the EU elite, ever convinced of its own moral superiority, will wring their hands, issue strongly worded statements, and insist that the  “rules-based order” of structured global relationships is under attack. But let’s be honest: when it comes to trade, Brussels is a paper tiger.

Trump plays hardball, while Europe plays pretend. The new POTUS has made it clear that America will no longer tolerate arrangements that put US workers at a disadvantage. His first term saw a ruthless renegotiation of trade deals and tariffs imposed on China that left European leaders muttering. Now, in round two, Washington is sharpening its tools once again.