Joerg Wuttke, a business advisor with extensive experience in China, highlights the significant financial losses incurred by China due to US tariffs, estimating a loss of approximately €500 billion annually. He warns that China's retaliation could cause far greater economic and political issues for the US, particularly impacting American consumers with increased prices on goods.
Wuttke cautions the EU against its growing proximity to China, emphasizing that China remains a competitor and systemic rival, while the US is an irreplaceable partner for Europe. He points out the significant difference in investment bases between the US and China in the context of EU relations.
Wuttke suggests China may retaliate by resuming the flow of fentanyl. He notes that while deaths from fentanyl overdoses in the US decreased in 2024, they were still over 100,000 in 2023. The potential resurgence of fentanyl is described as a "kiss of death" by Wuttke.