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.

The Perils of Europe’s Navel Gazing

New Atlanticist
Jul 28, 2025

Trump and von der Leyen made a deal. But the US and EU are drifting apart on trade.

Many elements of the Turnberry deal still need to be finalized, and the difficult process could drive the two sides even further apart.

Read More

The Perils of Europe’s Navel Gazing

Fast Thinking
Jul 27, 2025

How big a deal is the new US-EU trade announcement?

By
Atlantic Council

Our experts unpack the framework for a trade deal announced by US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday in Scotland.

Economy & Business
European Union

The Perils of Europe’s Navel Gazing

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

Featured events

Online Event
Thu, July 31, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

Unpacking the new US-EU trade deal

Experts discuss the new agreement announced on Sunday and what it means for transatlantic trade going forward.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia
European Union
Trade and tariffs


Online Event
Fri, July 11, 2025 • 10:30 am ET

What comes next for transatlantic trade

Experts discuss the next steps in the US-EU trade negotiations following the conclusion of the ninety-day tariff pause.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia
European Union
Trade and tariffs


Public Event
Thu, April 3, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

Europe’s Teresa Ribera on the EU’s clean transition and US-EU relations

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president of the European Commission, shares her vision for the EU, the bloc’s competitiveness, and the US-EU relationship.

Digital Policy
Economy & Business
Energy & Environment
Europe & Eurasia


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.

Read More

New Atlanticist

Talking past each other: Why the US-EU dispute over ‘free speech’ is set to escalate

by Kenneth Propp

Republican-led US lawmakers and the White House are likely just getting started in critiquing the European Union’s Digital Services Act.

In-depth Research & reports

The Perils of Europe’s Navel Gazing

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

The Perils of Europe’s Navel Gazing

Issue Brief
May 29, 2024

Who’s a national security risk? The changing transatlantic geopolitics of data transfers

By
Kenneth Propp

The geopolitics of data transfers is changing. How will Washington’s new focus on data transfers affect Europe and the transatlantic relationship?

Cybersecurity
Digital Policy

The Perils of Europe’s Navel Gazing

Issue Brief
Oct 18, 2023

Designing a US-EU industrial and trade policy 

By
Erik Brattberg, Frances Burwell, Jörn Fleck, Charles Lichfield, Zach Meyers, James Batchik, and Emma Nix

Both sides of the Atlantic are confronting the geopolitical necessity of adapting trade and industrial policies to be fit for purpose in an increasingly competitive world. To avoid competition between Washington and Brussels, policymakers must recognize each side’s priorities and commit to further cooperation to bridge the transatlantic economic relationship, not widen it.

Economy & Business
Energy & Environment

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

NATOSource

Jan 18, 2012

The Perils of Europe’s Navel Gazing

By Ana Palacio, the New Atlanticist

From Ana Palacio, the New Atlanticist:  [T]heir overwhelming focus on the economics of the euro crisis is itself part of the problem because the crisis is, above all, a reflection of deep-seated weaknesses in European institutions and the fabric of European society.

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Jan 17, 2012

France and Turkey Compete for Middle East Influence

By Soner Cagaptay, the Bangkok Post

From Soner Cagaptay, the Bangkok Post:  As Egyptians and Tunisians vote to replace ousted despots and the Syrian government teeters on the brink, two old imperial powers are competing to exert their political influence over Arab countries in upheaval.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2012

The Perils of Europe’s Navel Gazing

By Ana Palacio

While the world anxiously awaits the climax of the eurozone drama, its leaders’ behavior resembles the political equivalent of what physicists call “Brownian motion,” with officials bouncing randomly from one crucial bilateral consultation and vital European summit to the next. The impact of make-or-break declarations that are supposed to solve the monetary union’s problems dissipates […]

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Jan 12, 2012

Poland: NATO can’t keep subsidising Afghan army

By Gabriela Baczynska, Reuters

From Gabriela Baczynska, Reuters:  Afghanistan cannot expect current levels of Western financial aid for its armed forces to be sustained beyond 2014, when NATO forces plan to pull out, Poland’s defence minister said on Thursday.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 12, 2012

Interoperability in an Age of Austerity

By John Deni

During one of his first public appearances since becoming Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey cited civil unrest in the Eurozone and US exposure to contracts involving partners in Europe as the main threats to America emanating from European economic instability.  While these issues merit attention, the Defense Department’s primary concern […]

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Jan 12, 2012

Republicans Bash Europe in Search of Votes

By Sebastian Fischer, Spiegel

From Sebastian Fischer, Spiegel:  Europe is socialist, bloated and a threat to the global economy. That appears to be the message from the ongoing presidential campaign in the US. Republicans in particular have discovered Europe as a convenient punching bag

Economy & Business European Union

NATOSource

Jan 11, 2012

Georgia releases new National Security Concept, but no mention of Western European nations

By Joshua Kucera, the Bug Pit

From Joshua Kucera, the Bug Pit:  Georgia has released its new "National Security Concept" document, updating it from the 2005 version which said there was “little possibility of open military aggression against Georgia." Now, unsurprisingly, Russia dominates the document: of the twelve "Threats, Risks and Challenges to the National Security of Georgia" it identifies, ten […]

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Jan 10, 2012

EU defense spending still outstrips Russia and China combined, but little to show for it

By Peter Apps, Reuters

From Peter Apps, Reuters:  The European Union might appear a military superpower, at least on paper. It has more uniformed personnel than the United States and overall EU defense spending outstrips Russia or China. But as Washington pulls troops back from the continent, two decades after the Cold War ended, and refocuses on Asia, the […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 9, 2012

We Are All Europeans Now

By Alexander Mirtchev

The broadening cracks in the European economic framework now appear to be undermining the whole European structure, as if a ‘contagion’ is spreading from the Southern European economies outwards.

Economy & Business European Union

NATOSource

Jan 6, 2012

Former head of NATO’s 2nd-largest army arrested for “forming and directing a terrorist group”

By MSNBC

From MSNBC:  A former military chief was jailed Friday, accused of leading a terrorist organization and plotting to bring down Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, his lawyer said.

European Union International Organizations
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Experts

Fellow

Evi Fuelle

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Fellow

Richard Hurowitz

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Nik Foster

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Energy & Environment

Fellow

Achilles Tsirgis

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business European Union

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
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Events

Flagship Event Tue, September 30, 2025 • 2:45 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