Trade wars: Who does the Bible show will win?
Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats have sparked a trade war. The Hill reported:
April 4, 2025
President Trump has anointed himself America’s greatest protectionist, and he’s launching a global trade war to prove it. …
Trump imagines he can unilaterally restructure the world’s economy. …
His universal tariffs constitute a massive tax hike on U.S. consumers, hitting everything from European medicines and Mexican fruits and vegetables to Vietnamese shoes and German cars. Likewise for Japanese or Korean steel and Canadian aluminum and electricity.
Meanwhile, our $3 trillion export sector — satellites and medical devices, soybeans and wine, movies and telemedicine — will shrink as other countries inevitably retaliate by hiking their tariffs. https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/5230337-trump-trade-war-economic-impact/
Yes, those in the USA and around the world will be impacted. Might the world’s economy be restructured?
Yes.
Barron’s posted the following:
Trump’s Trade War Won’t Be Easy to Negotiate Away. Welcome to the New World Order.
April 4, 2025
The scope, speed and magnitude of the Trump administration’s tariff blitz left investors with a lot of questions. But one point came through crystal clear: The post–World War II global world economic order is no longer.
That is forcing a reassessment by countries on how to respond and pushing investors to reassess long-held assumptions about profit margins, investments, and inflation. https://www.barrons.com/articles/trump-tariffs-u-s-trade-war-china-europe-cf9a1227
Yes, a new world order is coming.
But it is not the order that Donald Trump seemingly is hoping for.
Church of God writers have warned about a coming trade war and related disputes for decades.
Back in 1971, the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God Herbert W. Armstrong wrote the following:
Trade War Looming to Trigger World War III?
Either we start raising high tariff barriers against other countries, starting a TRADE WAR which in time will trigger the nuclear war that will DESTROY US – or, American workers are going to have to MEET the competition of the workers in other countries, by lowering living standards. Obviously American workers are not going to choose to do the latter. And if they don’t – well, THE HANDWRITING IS ON OUR NATIONAL WALL. (Armstrong HW. Trade War Looming to Trigger World War III? Plain Truth, March 1971)
And while this has taken longer than he figured, we have had stagnation of real wages for American workers from that time to present. Now, we have the type of tariffs that he warned about.
Consider further that he looks to be correct that trade issues will be a factor that will trigger WWIII. A war that will be against the USA, Canada, and UK by a power that will reorganize (Revelation 17:12-13; Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?) and then rise in Europe (watch also Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).
We now have a Europe that is angry at the UK for Brexit and one that is mad at the USA for a host of reasons –including statements and decisions of its President Donald Trump.
As far as my own writings on trade go, notice the following two posts from 2013:
For at least two decades, I have believed that a split would happen between the USA and the Europeans partially because of how the Europeans will view how the USA handles/mishandles bilateral trade issues (USA debt, GMO foods, relative military decline of the USA, weather, etc. are likely to be other factors).
Thus, it is possible that a major trade deal will be the prelude for the disappointment to come. (Thiel B. Possible USA-EU trade deal: A prelude to the end? COGwriter, June 18, 2013)
Trade wars and other economic disagreements will be part of how European leaders will persuade many Europeans that the USA is not a friend, but an enemy. This is consistent with what I have been warning for years. …
The European Union is larger than the USA, generally has a total economic output greater than that of the USA, is (in some areas) becoming more technologically advanced than the USA, and can exert unique pressures on the USA. (Thiel B. EU Commissioner: USA espionage is for economic advantage, not terrorism. COGwriter, October 30, 2013)
Notice something from me in 2016:
Tariffs can lead to trade wars, and trade wars can lead to real wars. The Bible teaches that Europe will one day, relatively soon, dominate international trade (cf. Revelation 18). (Thiel B. Donald tweets and Boris speaks on tariffs. COGwriter.com, December 4, 2016)
Notice something I posted the morning after the November 5th presidential election:
According to the major media, Donald Trump won re-election. … Europe will get more serious about trade deals with others internationally, such as being more motivated to approve the trade deal with the Mercosur block of South America. (Thiel B. Media declares Donald Trump won the election–now what? y Donald trump y eventos para observar. COGwriter, November 6, 2024)
Then, a month later:
December 6, 2024
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sealed a massive trade agreement with South America on Friday, in a bold step that threatens to widen a rift between France, which hates the deal, and her native Germany, which loves it. …
The accord, which eluded von der Leyen in her first term, marks a massive geopolitical win as she embarks on her second. It seeks to deepen ties between the EU and Mercosur — which comprises Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and newcomer Bolivia — just as Donald Trump threatens to launch a global trade war when he returns as U.S. president next month.
“We are sending a clear and powerful message,” von der Leyen told a joint press conference. “In an increasingly confrontational world, we demonstrate that democracies can rely on each other. This agreement is not just an economic opportunity. It is a political necessity.” https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-mercosur-countries-seal-controversial-trade-deal/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=LinkedIn
Later in December, I posted:
Europe will reach out to various ones in Asia and Africa, as well as Latin America. In the next several years, deals and more trade will occur with Africa, Asia, and Latin America. … We are seeing BRICS, the Global South, the EU, and others working on ways to trade and not have to deal with the descendants of Ephraim (UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) and Manasseh (the USA). …
While Donald Trump seems to believe that his policies are best for the United States, notice some unintended consequences of them: …
- Pushing tariffs and sanctions on other countries is contributing to the rise of the final time of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Ezekiel 7:24).
- Pushing tariffs and other policies that foreign nations do not like is contributing to other nations looking to bypass the USA dollar, as well as trade more with each other and less with the USA. This will further push various globalist’s moves forward without the USA. This is also helping set the stage for the coming European Babylonian Beast to dominate international trade.
And that is happening.
Notice:
2 March 2025
As the United States imposes new tariffs, Europe faces a strategic dilemma. Between maintaining its traditional alliances and diversifying its economic partnerships, the continent is now looking towards the BRICS. This organization, once perceived as a counterweight to the G7, is today consolidating its position by weaving closer ties with Europe. https://www.cointribune.com/en/brics-gains-momentum-as-europe-seeks-new-trade-alliances/
Further notice that in February 2025, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen went to India to push a trade deal:
Von der Leyen arrives in India to ‘strengthen partnership’
27 February 2025
The EU is seeking to diversify its partnerships in the face of possible tariffs from Washington. …
The EU and India are seeking to expedite a long-delayed free trade agreement, as well as achieve strategic alignment in the face of tariffs announced by Washington. …
https://www.dw.com/en/von-der-leyen-arrives-in-india-to-strengthen-partnership/a-71768504
Notice more related to Europe:
Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament …
20 March 2025
Today, I would like to focus on the threats to global prosperity and stability and the rise of protectionism. And as our domestic agenda cannot be seen separately from global developments around us, let me start with the US tariffs. …
Europe did not start this confrontation. We think it is wrong. But my message to you today is also that we have everything we need to protect our people and our prosperity. We have the largest Single Market in the world. We have the strength to negotiate. …
Trade goes to where the business case is. We will open doors towards fast-growing markets across the world. Europe already has trade agreements in place with 76 countries. And we are now growing this network. We just concluded trade deals with Mercosur, Mexico and Switzerland. We launched the first-ever Clean Trade and Investment Partnership with South Africa. We aim to conclude a trade agreement with India by the end of the year. We are in intense negotiations with Indonesia and Thailand. And later this week, President Costa and I will head to Samarkand, for the first-ever summit between the European Union and Central Asia. Europe has always been a trading continent. Let us connect with the new beating hearts of the global economy. Our message is clear: Europe is reliable, predictable and open for fair business. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/sv/speech_25_938
BEIJING, March 29 (Reuters) – Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met visiting European Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic …
Top officials in Beijing and Europe are looking for common ground despite long-running trade disputes as the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump threatens to upend transatlantic ties and global trade. https://www.reuters.com/world/china-eu-discuss-level-playing-field-trade-eus-sefcovic-says-2025-03-29/
Yes, the Europeans are busily working to towards making trade deals.
Notice also the following:
Unlike others ‘we’re reliable’, EU tells Central Asia, as it seeks greater access to rare earths
4 April 2025
The EU pitched itself to Central Asia as “reliable” amid a turbulent geopolitical context as it seeks increased access to the region’s critical raw materials and clean energy supplies …
EU and Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – on Friday agreed to upgrade their cooperation to a strategic partnership, with the EU also announcing a new €12 billion package for the region through its Global Gateway Initiative. …
“New global barriers arise, investments are being re-directed or cut. Powers around the world are carving out new spheres of influence,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the leaders’ plenary session in veiled references to the US, Russia and China. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/04/unlike-others-were-reliable-eu-tells-central-asia-as-it-seeks-greater-access-to-rare-earth
Amid global tensions following Trump’s tariff announcements, the EU marked 30 years of diplomatic ties by declaring a new strategic partnership with Central Asia. …
“In today’s international context, the importance of a functioning, rules-based multilateral order cannot be overstated. Our meeting today encourages even more European Union Central Asia cooperation in multilateral fora, reinforcing our shared commitment to a peaceful world and prosperous global order,” he said.
Notice that the EU pushed itself as stable, then got a major deal. There are many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s policies and statements.
You will note that the Global Gateway Initiative was mentioned. Global Gateway is Europe’s answer to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Related to that and trade, we in the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
EU’s Global Gateway, Trade, and War?
The European Union announced that it planned to spend €300 billion ($340 billion) in a program called ‘Global Gateway.’ According to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen it is a “true alternative” to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the Silk Road Project. Both the EU and Chinese projects will improve road, ports, and/or other infrastructure to connect with Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Will this result in increased trade for Europe and Asia during the time of the Gentiles? Will Babylonian Europe dominate trade for a time? Will devastating war hit Europe with Russian and Eurasian involvement? Would infrastructure these projects are involved in be used for war? What about preparation for Armageddon? Dr. Thiel address these issues and cites biblical prophecies related to these matters.
Here is a link to our video: EU’s Global Gateway, Trade, and War?
Back in 2021, I posted the following related to Europe, prophecy, and its Global Gateway Initiative:
The EU project is ambitious. It is intended to help insure, that it, and not China will gain dominance. This is strategically interesting in that Europe is not intending to spend as much as China, but by being more selective about where to spend its funds, it will mainly fill in ‘gaps’ that it expects will benefit it the most.
Furthermore, unlike the Chinese plan, the European one involves infrastructure around data and communications technology.
The Bible shows that economically as the “daughter of Babylon” Europe will rise up in this century–(cf. Revelation chapters 17 & 18)–and this project is another step in that direction.
Consider that while China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) itself will face various obstacles, it looks to be supportive of some biblical prophecies.
Since the Bible teaches that it will be Europe that will dominate world trade, the BRI and Europe’s Global Gateway look to be ways that Europe will get access to markets in Asia and Africa. Roads work both ways. Furthermore, Europe has a long history of trading with Asia and Latin America and is biblically prophesied to continue to do so. …
Back in 1971, the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) published the following:
Momentous, historic events are transforming Western Europe. But most Americans are “asleep at the switch” to what is happening. It’s time for a self-centered America to wake up – before her allies become her enemies. Envision the startling future of Western Europe. A … union of perhaps 250 million people, surpassing both the United States and the Soviet Union in economic strength, possessing for the first time worldwide political power and influence. One news source recently called it an “enormous, physically powerful beast.” A new Western Europe controlling perhaps half of all world trade, by exclusive arrangements with dozens of nations who produce raw materials. A “United States of Europe” possessing one single currency – a currency so strong that it will replace the U. S. dollar as the kingpin currency of world trade. (Hogberg G. EUROPE’S COMMON MARKET RISING WORLD COLOSSUS. Plain Truth, 1971)
Now we all know that Europe has its own currency–a currency that some see as the logical replacement for the US dollar for world trade. Now, let me add that less than a decade after the above was published, the WCG publicly announced that Eastern Europe would also be part of this European power. And within a decade of that, Eastern European nations began to officially join in with what has become the European Union (more in Eastern Europe have also applied to become members of the EU). And, in population, the European Union a;ready is actually larger than that of the USA.
With … its Global Gateway, Europe is getting more of the connectivity that it wants. (Thiel B. ‘The European Union has unveiled its €300 billion ($340 billion) alternative to China’s Belt and Road initiative’. COGwriter, December 2, 2021)
Yes, world events are aligning with properly understood biblical prophecies.
There will be many unintended consequences. Many nations will start to look at places other than the USA to trade with. Even the New York Times today has used my unintended consequence term:
Will Trump’s Tariffs Drive Europe Into China’s Arms, or Into a Fight?
The European Union is deepening other trade partnerships as U.S. relations sour. …
April 4, 2025 …
The E.U. has the second-largest consumer market in the world behind America; China is third. But China and the E.U. have not exactly been cozy in recent years. …
Still, the E.U. is staring down 20 percent across-the-board tariffs in the United States, and even higher levies on major products like cars and trucks. China is confronting rates in excess of 50 percent. There’s a small chance that those tariffs could drive the two large economies closer together, experts said — an unintended consequence at a time when Mr. Trump’s America has been trying to weaken China.
There have been early hints of a thaw. …
If the U.S. tariffs are not quickly negotiated away, Europe — and China — could find themselves looking for new consumers. …
Another big part of Europe’s strategy? Making new friends.
Since late last year, the bloc has worked to expand relations with India, South American countries, South Africa, South Korea and Mexico. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/world/europe/trump-tariffs-china.html
For years I have warned that pushing Europe to increase its military spending would result in Europe deciding how to spend its funds. For some reason many US officials have not fully understood that as the following shows:
US officials object to European push to buy weapons locally
April 2, 2025
U.S. officials have told European allies they want them to keep buying American-made arms, amid recent moves by the European Union to limit U.S. manufacturers’ participation in weapons tenders, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The messages delivered by Washington in recent weeks come as the EU takes steps to boost Europe’s weapons industry, while potentially limiting purchases of certain types of U.S. arms. …
Trump has urged European allies to spend more on defense and take greater responsibility for their own security. As it does so, the EU is looking to bring manufacturing in-house in light of the U.S. president’s suggestions that his commitment to NATO is not absolute. That runs counter to another Trump administration goal, which is to open foreign markets to U.S. manufacturers.
The mid-March defense proposal by the European Commission, dubbed ReArm Europe, included a plan to borrow 150 billion euros ($162 billion) for loans to EU governments to spend on defense projects. Many EU governments say they are in favor of a more pan-European approach to defense. … several sources said the U.S. emphasis on the matter has intensified in recent weeks as the EU has moved more decisively to decouple its weapons procurement.
“They are upset about ReArm proposal and that the U.S. is excluded,” said one senior European source. https://www.reuters.com/world/us-officials-object-european-push-buy-weapons-locally-2025-04-02/
There will be many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s statements and policies, including relating to trade and tariffs. Notice something published just before Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th US president from my latest book available at Amazon Kindle: Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? as well as Amazon print :
One of the unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs and other trade matters is that it is motivating nations he has threatened to look to trade more with each other. (p. 52)
The above is happening. More of the world’s nations are starting to seriously look away from the USA for trade.
A new world order is coming.
Notice something else from page 189 of my book :
The European Union … its view is that Europe should lead a coming “new world order.”
The Bible shows that Europe will, temporarily, dominate trade, which means that the USA will not:
3 … all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury. (Revelation 18:3)
9 The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her … 19 in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! (Revelation 18:9,19)
Europe does not have to be perfect to do this, but perceived for a time, as the best economic option for the world.
Although it does not look like that now to most people, Europe is prophesied to do so.
It is Europe, not the USA, that will ultimately “win” this trade war (though Europe will have problems before it does so).
Church of God warnings on trade are coming to pass.
In the Continuing Church of God:
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19, KJV)
We continue to see international affairs that are aligning with properly explained biblical prophecies.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Trade Disputes: CCOG Warnings Are Coming to Pass Trade tensions and talks of trade wars have escalated. US President Donald Trump has put Europe, China, Mexico, and other lands on notice that he wants to change how international trade with the USA has been going. Tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, and even more tariffs are being implemented. Is this all just happenstance? Are we yet in a trade war? What will Europe do? Has the Church of God been warning about trade disputes and a coming trade war for decades? What about the Continuing Church of God (CCOG)? What has been warned, what has been happening, and what will happen? Will trade disputes be a factor in World War III (WW3)? Dr. Thiel explains what has been taught and what to expect.
Brexit Happened: Now What? At 11:00 pm January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom formally left the European Union. Many celebrated, while many mourned. Nigel Farage stated, “This is the greatest moment in modern British history.” What will happen to the United Kingdom? Will the UK be involved in trade deals with the United States of America and the Europeans? Will the UK regret the BRitish Exit (Brexit) from the EU?What will happen with the European Union? Is Europe prophesied to have a great army and many ships? Does the Bible prophesy a reorganization of Europe? Does it prophesy that the Europeans will become a conquering military power? Is the United Kingdom prophesied to be conquered? How does the Bible name the British-descended peoples? Was the British Empire the largest in world history? Was Brexit predicted by Church of God leaders in 1970 and the early 1990s? Will the European Union be negatively affected financially by the departure of the UK? Will this turn out well for the UK or the Europeans? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video.
Trade Wars: Are COG warnings coming to pass? Trade issues, tariffs, and talk of trade wars are in the news. Can trade wars lead to World War III like they did to World War II? Are the events going on with the USA, UK, Asia, and Europe consistent with warnings published by the true Church of God (COG) over the past several years and decades? Do Germany and China hope to take advantage of trade frictions involving the Trump Administration and the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement? What about Mexico and South America? Does the Bible teach that Europe will become a major trading power? Will the final European Babylonian trading power be destroyed? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
25 items to prophetically watch in 2025 Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 25 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon video: 25 Items to Watch in 2025.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen. The link takes you to a book available at Amazon.com.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Kindle edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?
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