Editorial of Ship&Offshore 12/2024: Europe United

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s recent speech in the German Bundestag met with much approval. The conditions were not ideal: the so-called “traffic light” coalition between the
Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberals had collapsed shortly beforehand, and the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck, who was supposed to give the speech, was
stranded in Lisbon with the (once again) faulty Government plane.
The answer to the America First propaganda of President-elect Trump must and can only be Europe United, Baerbock said. Admittedly, this statement is not new as it was already formulated
in 2018 when it once again became clear at the G7 summit in Canada that foreign policy and multilateral trade agreements no longer have any meaning under Donald Trump. Only if Europe
sticks together and draw on its strengths can it counter US protectionism, for the economy, the prosperity and, not least, its security.
When Trump championed the America First slogan during his first presidency, he positioned himself as a defender of the country’s sovereignty and interests. While this message obviously resonated deeply with a significant portion of the American electorate, its broader implications – especially for Europe –were profound and concerning.
With his re-election, the America First rhetoric continues to influence the contours of international relations, challenging Europe’s traditional role in the global order. The mantra and its realisation will not only reshape the US domestic landscape but will also have far-reaching consequences for global trade and the international shipping industry in a world that has changed dramatically
since his first presidency.
Recent data from an ocean and air freight intelligence platform shows the last time Trump ramped up tariffs on Chinese imports during the trade war in 2018, for example, ocean container shipping
freight rates spiked more than 70%. With his announcement to hike tariffs even further in his coming term of office, and with a cabinet of science deniers and non-professional TV presenters,
it is already clear that the conditions for international trade will change and become more complicated. Whether it will deliver on its promises to revive American manufacturing or result in higher costs and trade friction remains to be seen.
The current issue of Ship&Offshore is our final magazine edition for 2024. Which is always a good time to look back, draw conclusions and make plans for the future. It has become difficult in the past few years to stay positive: the war has been back in Europe for more than 1,000 days; the Middle East is still not at peace; we are looking to the United States with deep concern; and Europe is more divided than it has ever been before.
The maritime industry is always directly affected by the challenges and insecurities in the world: be it in times of the pandemic, at the outbreak of the Ukraine war, currently still by attacks and threats from the Houthi rebels as a result of the Middle East aggression – as just reported by the German Shipowners’ Association – by volatile freight rates, through interrupted supply chains.
But the maritime sector is nothing if not resilient, and its response to these challenges speaks to the industry’s ability to innovate and adapt. Through strategic investments, technological innovation, and diplomatic collaboration, the industry is working hard to stay afloat in a world of unpredictable geopolitical waves.
Solidarity and collaboration play a not insignificant role here. The same applies more than ever to safeguarding democracy, and to protect values such as decency, tolerance, respect and compassion.