JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon is promoting his vision for the future of the Western world, with the key being Europe's revival of its weak economy and strengthening of its defense capabilities.
"I think the U.S. should offer Europe a major incentive: if Europe implements meaningful economic and military reforms, including everything we consider essential for security and resilience, the U.S. would negotiate a grand and beautiful economic and free trade agreement with Europe," Dimon wrote in an op-ed on Monday.
"Compared to the scale and benefits of this agreement, many of the current disputes between Europe and the U.S. are insignificant. This agreement could be extended to friendly democratic nations, including Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines," Dimon said.
He added that seamless trade relations would be a "game-changer" for the U.S. and its allies, enabling them to "set global trade rules" and keep them "united in the face of authoritarian pressure."
Dimon's advocacy for free trade stands in sharp contrast to the more protectionist policies currently pursued by the Trump administration. As President Donald Trump introduces tariffs and adopts aggressive negotiation tactics, relations between Washington and some of its largest trading partners 鈥?including the European Union and Canada 鈥?have deteriorated.
Dimon specifically pointed out that the EU needs to complete the long-awaited capital markets union and banking union to enhance competitiveness; implement the recommendations of the Draghi report; and ensure the bloc's defense, manufacturing, and energy independence.
"A Europe that can mobilize capital, grow innovative companies, integrate defense production, reduce strategic dependencies, and achieve stronger growth will be a more capable security partner and a more resilient economic partner," he said.
This is not the first time the bank chief has criticized Europe for its lack of globally significant companies, intermittent economic growth, and lack of sovereignty in key areas. Last year, he told European business and political leaders at an event in Ireland that compared to the U.S. and Asia, "you are losing."
Dimon also wrote this week that the U.S. must take steps to ensure it remains the world's foremost military and economic power and to revitalize "the American Dream and American values, which for too many of our fellow citizens are weakening."
"A renewed commitment to American values and alliances, combined with bold reforms in Europe, would be a geopolitical and economic home run, guaranteeing the Western world remains strong for the next 250 years," he said.