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.

France, Germany and Russia begin Trilateral Summit

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.

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France, Germany and Russia begin Trilateral Summit

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

France, Germany and Russia begin Trilateral Summit

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.

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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

France, Germany and Russia begin Trilateral Summit

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

France, Germany and Russia begin Trilateral Summit

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

France, Germany and Russia begin Trilateral Summit

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

Oct 18, 2010

France, Germany and Russia begin Trilateral Summit

By Ben Hall and Quentin Peel, the Financial Times

From Ben Hall and Quentin Peel, the Financial Times:  France and Germany are hoping to do their own pressing of “the reset button” on the European Union’s uneasy relationship with Russia at a two-day trilateral summit that starts on Monday.

European Union International Organizations

Issue Brief

Oct 15, 2010

Triple Crown 2010: Can the Transatlantic Alliance be Strategic?

By Marc Grossman

Former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs and Atlantic Council Board Director Marc Grossman encourages the Obama Administration to view the bureaucratic challenge of managing the upcoming NATO, U.S.-EU and OSCE summits as an opportunity to create a more coherent, strategic transatlantic relationship that maximizes the capabilities of all three organizations. Download the PDF

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Oct 11, 2010

Clinton promoting peace and reform in the Balkans

By Matthew Lee, the AP

From Matthew Lee, the AP:  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is pressing political reforms to the restive Balkans with the hope that such changes will lead to the region’s full integration into the European Union and NATO. Clinton leaves Washington on Monday for Sarajevo, the capital of ethnically divided Bosnia-Herzegovina, which just held elections, […]

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Oct 8, 2010

How Europe puts America at risk

By Stewart Baker, the Washington Post

From Stewart Baker, the Washington Post: But since he [President Obama] took office, Europe has consistently opposed the Obama administration’s counterterrorism initiatives.

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Oct 8, 2010

While Europe Scrimps, European Union Spends

By Stephen Castle, the New York Times

From Stephen Castle, the New York Times:  In Brussels, meanwhile, the bureaucracy that runs the European Union is haggling over how much to increase next year’s budget. In 2011, the European Union will pour billions more euros into the Continent’s regions for infrastructure and other projects. Spending on justice and security is set to rise […]

Economy & Business European Union

Report

Oct 6, 2010

The Danger of Divergence: Transatlantic Cooperation on Financial Reform

This report focuses on defining the major issues in financial regulation that demand transatlantic cooperation, and putting them in their global context.  It analyzes the effects of proposed rules on the US and European economies, including the impact on the real economy and especially the business sector, and outlines concrete recommendations for policymakers. The Atlantic […]

Economy & Business European Union

NATOSource

Oct 1, 2010

EU looks to toughen up defenses against cyber warfare

By Deutsche Welle

From Deutsche Welle: The EU is preparing to strengthen defenses against large-scale online cyber attacks that could be used as a weapon. Meanwhile, a newspaper says NATO is planning to make online assaults a military alliance matter. European Union policymakers have proposed plans to strengthen defenses against the threat posed to its member states by […]

Cybersecurity European Union

NATOSource

Sep 30, 2010

NATO Military Committee visits KFOR

By NATO's International Military Staff

From NATO’s International Military Staff:  NATO’s Military Committee (MC) visited KFOR on 28 September, where it was welcomed by Major General Erhard Bühler, Commander of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and by Admiral Mark Fitzgerald, Joint Force Commander Naples (JFCN).

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Sep 27, 2010

EU risks US-China domination with military cuts: France

By Laurent Thomet, AFP

From Laurent Thomet, AFP:  Europe decided Friday to explore how to strengthen military cooperation as France warned that drastic defence budget cuts would leave the continent under Sino-American domination. French Defence Minister Herve Morin said he had told his European Union counterparts at a meeting in Ghent, Belgium, that plans to step up European military […]

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Sep 25, 2010

Does the Obama Administration view our European allies “with general disdain?”

By  S.W., the Economist

From S.W., the Economist:  My colleague in this space last week delightfully dismembered Dinesh D’Souza’s nutty Forbes piece “analyzing” Mr Obama’s worldview and thought processes, but the fact remains that this administration does seem to view our old European allies with general disdain.

European Union International Organizations
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Experts

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

Fellow

Jeppe Kofod

Distinguished Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Agon Maliqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Albanian Bosnian
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Events

Flagship Event Tue, September 30, 2025 • 9:00 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