Europe Center

Growing from its start as the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Union has risen as a key actor and norm-setter in areas as diverse as trade, energy security, digital policy, and defense. In an era of great power competition, the United States has a national interest in the EU reinvigorating faith in the European project.

The United States’ oldest ally, France is a key strategic partner for Washington. France remains a key country to watch for the future of the European project as it pursues a vision for a more integrated, cohesive European Union.

Germany is a key player in the transatlantic relationship and in Europe. The US-German relationship has been the backbone of the international order for seven decades, and a strong transatlantic community and rules-based order relies on close US-German cooperation.

Poland is a major actor within NATO and the European Union, a growing economic powerhouse, and an influential regional leader. With increased Russian aggression, foreign influence campaigns, and a rise of populism, the United states needs to continue investing in the relationship with a key ally.

The United Kingdom is a long-time friend and ally of the United States. Despite wrestling with internal challenges, the UK plays an important leadership role in the international system as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a NATO leader, and the bridge between Europe and the United States on issues of defense, security, sanctions, and trade.

The Balkans are enjoying a period of relative stability after decades of turmoil. US and European engagement are as necessary as ever to stabilize the fragile peace of the 1990s and build further Euro-Atlantic political and economic integration.

The Transatlantic Digital Marketplace Initiative seeks to foster greater US-EU understanding and collaboration on digital policy matters and build tangible cooperation in this fast-growing area of the transatlantic economy.

The Atlantic Council strives to promote a Europe undivided, free, and prosperous through its support of the Three Seas Initiative. The Initiative seeks to bolster investment in Central and Eastern European transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure to improve regional connectivity and bolster development.

Based on the lessons of the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine, the Transform Europe Initiative aims to strengthen European security against petro-aggression, climate change, and weaponized corruption. The initiative aids in the development of structural reforms and expedited but practical solutions that promote Europe’s decarbonization and defenses against transnational kleptocracy networks.