Trade war warning: EU can BEAT Trump on trade 'by using Brexit tactics'

Both the United States and Britain “have tried to divide the EU” but any threats to the future of the bloc can be overcome if member states remain united, according to Hamburg-based magazine Der Spiegel.

The key to the EU’s negotiating strategy is being prepared to accept short term losses for long term gains, the news publication said.

A piece written by the magazine’s EU correspondent, Markus Becker, said Europeans have good reason to be confident after seeing how the Brexit talks have progressed.

Mr Becker said an argument made by some Brexiteers that pressure from Germany’s powerful car industry would ultimately force Brussels to soften its approach in negotiations with the UK “has been destroyed”.

He said: “In the meantime British Brexit hardliners speak of a national humiliation, and not without reason.

“The reason is simple: the cohesion of the common EU single market is much more important to the economy in the long term than to allow the British a pleasant Brexit.

“If need be, industry and governments of the EU27 are willing to accept short-term losses.”

He went on to insist the same strategy of unity and cohesion would also work against Donald Trump.

Mr Becker added: “Like Trump, the British have tried to divide the EU.

“And like Trump, they also have considerable economic threat potential.”

The US leader yesterday met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker as the pair looked to put an end to the trade war between the traditionally close allies.

The tit-for-tat tariffs began when Mr Trump imposed levies on steel and aluminium imports in June.

In response, Brussels drew up a list of American-made products to hit with levies.

Mr Trump had threatened to expand his trade war to target the automotive industry – a move which would have hit Germany particularly hard.

But following talks at the White House, the two sides agreed to hold fire on any imposing more tariffs until further trade talks take place.

Mr Trump’s pledge not to make good on his threat to impose levies on European-built cars is a big win for Brussels, while the US leader said EU had agreed to buy “lots of” soybeans from American farmers.

Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg.