During these grey and troubled times, when so many populists have swept the globe in all areas, one could also worry about what this means for art.
The protectionist decisions of President Trump and the European and Chinese retaliations are troubling. That is how great economic crises and the most terrible wars began.
And art is never unscathed from these occurrences. Moreover, art is sometimes at the forefront of these tragedies: indeed each time a wave of nationalism has swept over a corner of the globe, it began or continued, and flourished into art.
At the end of the 18th century, it was a requirement to write operas in national languages before nationalist movements began. At the beginning of the 20th century and in the 30s, the same follies took hold of certain groups of people.
Today, it is not the case. At least not for the moment.
Admittedly, particularly in Asia, collectors, galleries and museums are rushing to the works of artists of local origin. But no one has heaped shame on foreign artists. American cinema is still relatively welcomed in China. The same goes for music. Even if the opposite has never been true. Nobody listens to Chinese music outside of China. And this does not necessarily mean we are guilty of a non-existent sinophobia.
In Europe, where populism is gaining ground, there is still no such thing, and art remains what it should be: cosmopolitan, mixed, welcoming and diverse, whether in museums, galleries or auctions.
African artists have never been exhibited as much than during these times of hostility toward migrants, American musicians have never been listened to as much than during these times of trade war, and Chinese films have never been watched as much than during these times of resurgent power in Beijing.
Therefore, it will be necessary to follow with the greatest attention how things are being played out in these markets.
Even if they are tiny compared to the major issues of protectionism of industrial goods and financial services, the essential will play out in the arts. This is where the worst could be set off.
j@attali.com