A conversation with the President of the European Council Charles Michel

Event Recap

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2021

Charles Michel on renewing EU-US ties: ‘For global challenges, we need global solutions’

By Larry Luxner

“With the new Biden administration, there is [in] Europe a feeling of hope and the expectation that it will be possible… to rebuild a very strong alliance—what I have called a ‘new founding pact’ between the United States and Europe,” said European Council President Charles Michel.

China Coronavirus

The Atlantic Council hosted a conversation on Europe and the outlook for transatlantic cooperation with His Excellency Charles Michel, President of the European Council, on February 10, 2021.

In 2021, the Atlantic Council doubled down on its mission to promote relations with the European Union, with its Europe Center at the heart of this effort. As part of the Europe Center launch, the Council was honored to welcome President Charles Michel for a discussion of the European Union’s agenda for renewal in the transatlantic partnership. Both sides have signaled their commitment to a new era of transatlantic cooperation. At the same time, the European Union continues its debate on strategic autonomy and a more assertive role in international affairs. As a new US administration settled into office, the Atlantic Council held a conversation with President Michel about his perspectives on the opportunities and challenges that confront the European Union and the United States externally and in their relationship. How can Brussels and Washington tackle shared challenges like COVID-19, the economic recovery, climate change, and a more volatile geopolitical environment? What are concrete steps to reshape and upgrade transatlantic cooperation? How can the two sides overcome differences on issues like trade?

An #ACFrontPage Event

Atlantic Council Front Page is our premier live ideas platform for global leaders to discuss the defining challenges of our time. #ACFrontPage is a high-level event series featuring top newsmakers across multiple digital platforms. Harnessing the convening power and expertise of the Council’s sixteen programs and centers, #ACFrontPage leverages the Council’s capabilities in social media, press, and digital outreach to spotlight the world’s most prominent leaders and the most compelling ideas across sectors and engage new audiences eager for nonpartisan and constructive solutions to current global challenges. This widely promoted program features the Council’s most important guests and content serving as the highlight of our programming.