The collapse of Germany's governing coalition and President-elect Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House are creating new risks for the European Union's biggest economy, already in a troubling decline.

The collapse of Germany's ruling coalition is set to bring more economic pain in the months ahead and just a glimmer of hope for Europe's ailing economic giant if, and that is a big if, it can lead to a less fractious government and more coherent policies.

Germany’s economy is sliding down a steep cliff, and Donald Trump’s reelection might just be the final push over the edge. See, with Trump back in the White House, Europe’s [former] economic powerhouse is under fire,