EU-USA Relations: A Historic Partnership Faces New Challenges
Adrien Dangla
The Relationship Between America and Europe
The relationship between America and Europe dates back several centuries. The New World and the Old Continent have witnessed exchanges of populations, goods, services, and ideas since the discovery of America. After the creation of the United States, these exchanges continued, and the relationship strengthened, leading to two American interventions during the First and Second World Wars, which “liberated Europe from tyranny.” While Europe was once the absolute symbol of power, the post-WWII world order saw the emergence of the American superpower. This transatlantic partnership took concrete form with the creation of NATO, the most powerful military alliance ever seen at the time.
Economic Ties Between the EU and the U.S.
Today, NATO includes 32 countries, 23 of which are EU member states. This alliance has led Europeans to follow the United States into several conflicts in the Middle East. Beyond military cooperation, economic ties also bind these two powers closely. In 2023, total bilateral trade in goods and services between the EU and the U.S. was estimated at €1.6 trillion. The EU accounted for 18.6% of total U.S. trade, while the U.S. accounted for 16.7% of the EU’s total trade, surpassing China (14.6%) and the United Kingdom (10.1%).
Historical Support for a Transatlantic Partnership
Bill Clinton declared in 1995, “The European Union is our essential partner in building a future of peace, prosperity, and freedom.” His successors—Bush, Obama, and Biden—shared this sentiment. This partnership is also reflected in strategic sectors such as aerospace (NASA-ESA), healthcare (joint programs on cancer research and COVID-19), and education and culture, with exchange programs like Erasmus+, in which some American universities participate. For decades, the EU-U.S. relationship has fostered economic growth, peace, security, and prosperity for both powers—and for the world at large.
Recurring Tensions Despite a Strong Partnership
However, this partnership has not always been smooth. After World War II, the U.S. sometimes sought to limit European nations’ power. In 1956, during the Suez Crisis, President Eisenhower’s administration opposed the UK and France’s military intervention in Egypt after the nationalization of the Suez Canal, pressuring them to withdraw their troops. This caused resentment in Europe. France, in particular, remembered this uncertainty regarding American intentions, which led Charles de Gaulle to withdraw France from NATO’s integrated military command in 1966 to assert strategic independence from the U.S. France would not fully reintegrate NATO until 2009, after years of developing an independent military capability.
American wars in Vietnam and Iraq also provoked tensions. In 2003, France and Germany openly opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq, epitomized by Dominique de Villepin’s famous “non” before the UN Security Council. Meanwhile, the UK under Tony Blair aligned itself with Washington. In 2013, Edward Snowden’s revelations about American surveillance of European leaders, particularly Angela Merkel, triggered a diplomatic crisis and further eroded trust between the two partners.
2025: A More Fragile Transatlantic Relationship Than Ever
With the beginning of Donald J. Trump’s second term, the future of the transatlantic relationship appears more uncertain than ever. The return of American protectionism calls historic alliances into question. In late February 2025, Trump announced 25% tariffs on European products, claiming that the EU was created to “screw the United States.” The U.S. policy shift on the war in Ukraine has also been a wake-up call for Europeans, perceived as a betrayal by both Kyiv and Brussels, as Washington appears to be pivoting toward closer ties with Moscow.
This shift is pushing Europe to seek greater independence from the U.S. Former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer warned that America’s break with its traditional alliances endangers the EU, calling for a proactive European response. On March 4, 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled an ambitious €800 billion plan, “ReArm Europe,” aimed at strengthening European defense and supporting Ukraine.
The Nuclear Debate and European Defense Strategy
The presence of American nuclear warheads in Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands—symbolic of U.S. influence in Europe—is now being questioned. On February 28, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron, a long-time advocate for a strong and independent Europe, proposed opening discussions on extending France’s nuclear umbrella to other European nations. His goal is to ensure a European deterrence strategy in response to increasing uncertainties in the transatlantic alliance.
The Divide Within Europe
Time will tell whether Trump’s presidency will push Europeans to free themselves from an unpredictable ally and build a true European superpower. However, Europe remains divided. Some countries, such as Italy under Giorgia Meloni and Hungary under Viktor Orbán, do not necessarily share the broader European skepticism toward Trump and may resist efforts toward greater European strategic autonomy.
Conclusion: A Turning Point in the Transatlantic Partnership
As the transatlantic relationship faces new challenges, 2025 marks a crucial moment for both Europe and the United States. Shifting political landscapes, economic tensions, and strategic uncertainties are reshaping this partnership. The decisions made in the coming years will determine whether Europe strengthens its independence or reaffirms its ties with an unpredictable ally. Only time will reveal whether this is a temporary setback or a lasting transformation in the transatlantic alliance.
Sources:
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/eu-us-trade/
https://www.thoughtco.com/overview-of-world-war-ii-105520
https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/suez-crisis
https://hu.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/25/orban-meloni-fidesz-nem-csatlakozik-ecr-frakcio-eu-posztok-elosztasa