U.S.-European Relations in the 118th Congress

Summary:

Since the end of World War II, the United States and
Europe have forged a wide-ranging partnership. Often
termed the transatlantic relationship, the U.S.-European
partnership encompasses the 32-member North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO), relations with the 27-member
European Union (EU), and extensive bilateral political and
economic ties. Despite periodic tensions over the past 75
years, U.S. and European policymakers generally have
valued NATO, the EU, and the broader relationship as
serving their respective geostrategic and economic interests.
During the Trump Administration, U.S.-European relations
were strained by President Trump’s strident criticism of
NATO, the EU, and key European countries, as well as by
policy divisions on a range of issues, including relations
with China and Iran, tariffs and other trade issues, climate
change, and managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

European officials welcomed Biden Administration efforts
to decrease tensions, and U.S.-European cooperation has
strengthened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At
the same time, some foreign policy and trade differences
persist. The 118th Congress has considered or may continue
to evaluate U.S. interests in Europe, the future of NATO,
implications of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and
prospects for U.S.-European cooperation on regional and
global challenges, including China

Further Information:

This Insight was first published in January 2023 and subsequently updated. The latest update was published in May 2024. All updates can be checked on the Primary Source link provided below.