4 years with President Obama. Development and future prospects of transatlantic relations

As the American presidential loomed in November 2012, the Europeans are pondering the outgoing president's track record in the sphere of transatlantic relations.

The Europeans note that the past four years have been marked by the return of a convergence in the opinions being voiced on either side of the Atlantic, both in connection with foreign policy goals and with the values that those goals aim to convey. At the same time, the Europeans note that there has been no letup in American criticism of certain aspects of Europe's political situation.

Lastly, the Europeans note a redeployment of the resources available to America's foreign and security policy, including in the commercial sphere − a move traditionally known by the nickname 'pivot'.

The deciding factor between the two candidates is not going to be America's foreign relations, and certainly not its transatlantic relationship. It remains to be seen whether, if Mr. Romney is elected, he would succeed in reducing the polarisation that has marked his country's foreign relations since 2001.