US President Donald Trump's top economic adviser Gary Cohn is resigning, the White House has said. It is the latest in a series of high-profile departures from President Trump's team. There has been speculation that Mr Cohn, a supporter of free trade, was angered by Mr Trump's plans to impose tariffs on aluminium and steel imports. Dr Markus Wagner Associate Professor of Law comments.

"Gary Cohn's departure signals a deep rift within the Trump administration concerning international trade policy. Mr. Cohn stood for a 'free trade' paradigm and it appears clear now that those within the White House that advocate for a return to unilateral and more protectionist trade policies are gaining the upper hand.

"This is only one of several challenges for the White House however. Congress seems intent to retain a more liberal trade policy and other World Trade Organisations (WTO) members (such as the EU, China, Canada and Japan) are keen to avoid a departure of the current rules-based WTO system back to a time in which economic power reigned supreme."

Markus Wagner Associate Professor of Law

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