Renewing the U.S.-European Partnership in the Post-Trump Era.

• Author: Earle, Renee M.

Title: Renewing the U.S.-European Partnership in the Post-Trump Era

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In June, European leaders rolled out a plush (some have said "gush") welcome mat for President Biden when he arrived for G7, NATO, and U.S.-EU meetings with his message that America was back to strengthen alliances. Broad smiles among participating leaders trumpeted similar world views and were in sharp contrast with the sour notes of unpredictable meetings with President Trump. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen conveyed the general warm embrace for the U.S. prodigal son: "Well, Mr. President, dear Joe, we are so pleased to welcome you in Brussels," von der Leyen said. "You are back in Brussels and America is back on the global scene. It's great news. It's great news for our alliance. It's also great news for the world. And we are really delighted to work with you to tackle together some global challenges."

Upbeat communiques following the meetings with NATO and the EU outlined a staggering number of areas of transatlantic cooperation, from geopolitical engagement to trade, climate, and cybersecurity. Even the European Parliament expressed optimism in an opinion indicating great expectations for U.S.-EU cooperation with a detailed list of tasks, not least deliverables for the upcoming WTO ministerial meeting at the end of the year, such as "the green and digital transition; a fisheries agreement; a declaration on trade and health; work programmes for the reform of the Dispute Settlement Body for industrial subsidies and state-owned enterprises; and negotiations on electronic commerce."

Exhale with Relief--Hold Your Breath

The kumbaya atmosphere was reminiscent of the jubilation in Europe that greeted President Obama's election in the aftermath of President Bush's unpopular Iraq policies. This time, however, a question accompanied the grins: can this transatlantic moment be sustained beyond future changes in U.S. administrations and in the current climate of new global priorities?

European news sources covering President Biden's visit from Brussels did not fail to highlight possible pitfalls in America's reappearance. The world had moved on during the U.S. absence from the helm and not only during the previous four years. New challenges confronted traditional transatlantic cooperation. NATO allies made no secret of their frustration with President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw forces from Afghanistan unconditionally by Sept. 11, and apparently...