Region Spotlight

The only union of its kind

The European Union

Growing from its start as the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Union today has twenty-seven member states and is the only democratic, intergovernmental, supranational organization in the world. It 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 among Europeans and the rest of the world.

Sanitizing supply chains can jumpstart coronavirus-ridden transatlantic economy

Report Nov 10, 2025

The geopolitical trends shaping the EU’s policies on China

European policies on China are shaped by four major geopolitical trends: intensifying US-China competition, uncertainty about sustained US engagement in Europe and globally, China’s support for Russia’s war on Ukraine, and Beijing’s growing economic and technological challenge to the EU.

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Sanitizing supply chains can jumpstart coronavirus-ridden transatlantic economy

New Atlanticist Aug 27, 2025

The US-EU face-off over pharma is on pause—for now

By Emma Nix

Both Europe and the United States would benefit from working together to secure affordable and accessible pharmaceutical supply chains.
Economy & Business European Union
Sanitizing supply chains can jumpstart coronavirus-ridden transatlantic economy

Report May 20, 2025

The European Union Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: A reality test for EU enlargement

By Valbona Zeneli, Richard Grieveson, Isabelle Ioannides, Dimitar Bechev

EU enlargement faces a test case in the Western Balkans. The current plan offers real benefits before accession, creating incentives for reform, but questions of enforceability and the relatively low amount of financial support threaten the success of the EU’s political influence in the region.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Featured events

Online Event Mon, November 10, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Strategic alignment on China: EU approaches and transatlantic cooperation

Experts discuss whether China’s latest rare earth actions, Europe’s auto sector challenges, and recent US-EU summits with Beijing are pushing transatlantic views toward greater alignment.
China Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense
Flagship Event Mon, September 29, 2025 • 6:30 am ET

2025 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics

The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is an annual conference convening economic and financial leaders from both sides of the Atlantic.
Digital Policy Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union

The Transatlantic Digital Marketplace Initiative

The Europe Center’s Transatlantic Digital Marketplace Initiative seeks to foster greater understanding on digital policy between the United States and Europe and build tangible cooperation in this critical area of the transatlantic relationship.

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Issue Brief

Improving transatlantic cooperation on digital competition

by Zach Meyers

Greater dialogue between US and EU regulators would reveal similar priorities on digital competition, mergers, and antitrust issues, and could lead to greater alignment on key digital competition issues.

In-depth Research & reports

Sanitizing supply chains can jumpstart coronavirus-ridden transatlantic economy

Report Nov 10, 2025

Is Europe waking up to the China challenge? How geopolitics are reshaping EU and transatlantic strategy

By Zoltán Fehér, Valbona Zeneli

China’s rising global ambitions challenge both US and European interests. By examining the EU’s gradual shift toward “de-risking” and gaps in transatlantic policy, this report offers insights for developing a more coherent and coordinated strategy to address Beijing’s economic and security challenges.
China Europe & Eurasia
Sanitizing supply chains can jumpstart coronavirus-ridden transatlantic economy

Issue Brief Mar 5, 2025

The EU must become a strategic player in defense—alongside NATO

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

The European Union and NATO need renewed alignment on defense to meet the new geopolitical moment. Refocused cooperation would provide a critically needed burden sharing to eliminate vulnerabilities and prepare Europe to withstand new realities.
Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia
Sanitizing supply chains can jumpstart coronavirus-ridden transatlantic economy

Report Oct 7, 2024

Transatlantic horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond

By Atlantic Council experts

With new leadership on both sides of the Atlantic, this report outlines an agenda for common action for the next US administration and European Commission.
Digital Policy Economy & Business

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 15, 2020

Sanitizing supply chains can jumpstart coronavirus-ridden transatlantic economy

By Barbara C. Matthews

Transatlantic policymakers must urgently find new ways to address this deepening crisis at the core of the interdependent economy that delivers economic growth and jobs. This requires finding ways right now to reactivate supply chains and increase confidence in supply chain control processes throughout this crisis.

European Union
International Markets

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2020

Eurozone passes coronavirus rescue plan, but political unity remains elusive

By David A. Wemer

Although European leaders were finally able to agree on a massive rescue package to help the European economy weather the storm of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the lack of unity on display over the protracted negotiations raises deep concerns about Europe’s ability to navigate the difficult road to recovery.

Coronavirus
European Union

In the News

Apr 10, 2020

Should the European Left take on the populists at their own game?

By Atlantic Council

For Medium World, Alistair Somerville and Atlantic Council Resident Fellow Julian Mueller-Kaler go head to head on whether European center-left and left wing parties should take on the right wing populists at their own game.

Economy & Business
European Union

Explainer

Apr 9, 2020

European Union regulatory changes during coronavirus

By Global Business and Economics Program

A running analysis of what has been happening with EU regulations in the midst of coronavirus as Brussels attempts to navigate the crisis.

Coronavirus
Digital Policy

Event Recap

Apr 8, 2020

“We must unite our forces and stick to our fundamental values” during coronavirus crisis, EU commissioner says.

By Paul Cormarie

“The European Commission has acted faster and stronger than anyone expected,” on coronavirus, according to European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson.

Coronavirus
Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Apr 8, 2020

Slovakia looks towards an end to COVID-19’s painful isolation

By Alena Kudzko

Slovakia now needs to find ways to prepare for a post-COVID-19 world. Borders and national solutions can only provide necessary relief during an emergency. Looking ahead, the country will be tasked with finding ways to resolve the tension between attaining a false sense of security through national measures and walls, on the one hand, and the need to restore economic prosperity, on the other, through common European solutions.

Central Europe
Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2020

Addressing Hungary’s coronavirus emergency legislation

By Denise Forsthuber and Daniel Fried

Many in Europe and the United States who consider themselves friends of Hungary have struggled over what to do with what can be increasingly interpreted as an authoritarian drift in that country. Hungary was one of the early leaders of Central Europe’s democratic transformation after its overthrow of communist rule in 1989; this is the tradition we would prefer to be celebrating today. Instead, we struggle to find a way forward.

Coronavirus
European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2020

While he stems the spread of the coronavirus, Orban is spreading the virus of illiberalism.

By András Simonyi

Viktor Orban had the opportunity in the last weeks to choose between becoming a statesman or a general. He opted for the latter. One wishes him well in dealing with the crisis. But this last decision is not really about handling the crisis.

Coronavirus
European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 1, 2020

Europe needs a quick economic coronavirus response: The ESM can provide it

By Bart Oosterveld

A rapid and flexible deployment of the €410 billion lending capacity of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) is urgently needed to support the policy initiatives launched to combat the coronavirus crisis throughout Europe. The sooner the Eurogroup of finance ministers can return to something akin to this sensible compromise position suggested by its President Mario Centeno last week, the better.

Coronavirus
European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 31, 2020

Europe’s economic emergency is also a geopolitical one

By Benjamin Haddad and Josh Lipsky

European leaders are deciding the future of European power on the world stage. If Europeans can’t ensure solidarity with each other after so much pain and sacrifice, it will not only be a devastating loss for Europe. It will also be a blow to a world looking for the political shape of a post-coronavirus world.

Coronavirus
European Union
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Experts

Fellow

Helena Fee Rasch

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Lize de Kruijf

Program Assistant, Economic Statecraft Initiative

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Dutch Economic Sanctions

Fellow

Jeppe Kofod

Distinguished Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Agon Maliqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Albanian Bosnian

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Lukasz Lisicki

Policy Assistant to the Director-General for Energy, European Commission

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Fellow

Andrea Rigoni

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Cybersecurity Digital Policy
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Events

Online Event Fri, December 19, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Can Europe meet the geopolitical moment?
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union Politics & Diplomacy