In an era marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, the European Union (EU) has to navigate increasingly complex economic relationships. Protectionist policies are resurging worldwide, and trade disputes with the United States under the Trump administration have exposed the vulnerability of transatlantic trade ties. These developments emphasise the need for the EU to diversify its trade relations and thus reduce its dependencies on individual countries.

At our Policy Lunch 2025, we will therefore discuss with high-level experts what contributions the diversification of economic partnerships can make against the backdrop of an increasingly disrupted world order and what needs to be considered in this context. What role can free trade agreements play in reducing unilateral dependencies and maintaining a rules-based trade system? And how can it be ensured that they result in greater joint prosperity and sustainability and do not deepen existing rifts?