The EU’s Double Bind
COVID-19 has forced Europeans to confront a twin shock to their worldview, with a philosophical crisis overlaid by a geographical one. The EU now needs to embark on a broad-based effort to ensure its strategic sovereignty.
Europe’s Geopolitical Moment
There is a growing consensus that the EU has to become a geopolitical actor. To achieve this goal, numerous constraints will need to be overcome. Priorities include defining its position vis-à-vis the incoming Biden administration—and China.
Between Restoration and Change
It’s clear a President Joe Biden would pursue a very different foreign policy from Donald Trump. But would he seek to return to the approach of President Barack Obama or forge a new path?
Bonding over Beijing
How to deal with China will be one of the dominant issues in transatlantic relations in the coming years. A Biden win would open the door to building a shared agenda.
All at Sea
Trade relations would inevitably worsen further should Donald Trump win a second term. But even if Joe Biden wins, a transatlantic economic re-set cannot be taken for granted.
Security Realities
The Europeans are insufficiently prepared to provide more in terms of defense and stability. There will be a rude awakening even with a President Biden in the White House.
A New Bargain
The rapid rise of China is inevitably forcing a major shift in the US-European relationship. It is time for both sides to root the transatlantic bond in shared interests, rather than often ill-defined values. Fortunately, such a basis exists.
Unhinged or Reinvented?
Relations between the United States and Europe are at an historic juncture. The US elections in November will be decisive in determining whether the transatlantic partnership will be affirmed and tuned to new challenges or will fracture and collapse.