About the debrief
Few themes are as central to Europe’s present and future as its relationship with the United States (US). This is not simply because the US remains such a major global actor, nor merely because the transatlantic partnership has been the cornerstone of Europe’s geopolitical stance since the Second World War. It is also, and perhaps above all, because the US itself now increasingly calls into question the very paradigms it once championed. As a result, Europe is being forced - more urgently than at any time in decades - to redefine its place in the world and its role as an actor in its own right. Against this backdrop, we invited a group of leading academics and think tank experts to reflect on a crucial question: How significant are the changes in American politics for the European Union (EU)? Have Europeans truly woken up to the implications - geopolitical, security, political, and economic? And how should the EU position itself in light of these profound shifts?
The contributions collected in this publication converge on key observations. First, the world around us is undergoing profound change. In particular, the US-EU relationship can no longer be taken for granted. Second, President Donald Trump’s unpredictable, personalised, and America-centric approach to foreign policy forces the European establishment to reconsider long-held assumptions, revealing the need to strengthen Europe’s ability to act independently and defend its own interests. And finally, the EU struggles to adapt - held back by internal divisions, institutional inertia, and a persistent dependency on Washington. While the contributors agree on the magnitude of the challenge, they look at it from different angles, offering distinct yet complementary recommendations. This foreword outlines the key constraints they identify, along with the solutions they propose.
From the foreword by Jim Cloos, TEPSA Secretary-General.
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Marianne Riddervold
Trump, the transatlantic rift and European security: Is the EU up to the task?
In What future for Europe’s partnership with the United States?