THE TRANSATLANTIC GAP

06/02/2025 Paulius Kuncinas

Centenary Policy Institute roundtable in Washington, D.C., USA.

Despite the shared values and long-standing alliance between the United States and the European Union, their relationship is facing increasing strain. The issue isn’t a rupture — it’s a growing misalignment in speed, priorities, and strategic execution.

Washington’s fast-paced, results-driven policy style contrasts sharply with Brussels' consensus-based, procedural approach. This mismatch creates friction, especially in areas like tech regulation, sanctions, and security. For the U.S., Europe can seem overly bureaucratic; for Europe, the U.S. appears impatient and dismissive of process.

Trust between the two is quietly eroding. U.S. policymakers doubt Europe’s operational seriousness, while European leaders fear future reversals in U.S. policy, particularly given the instability seen during the Trump administration — whose influence still shapes key debates. Trump-era clarity and assertiveness, however controversial, gave the U.S. the narrative upper hand, leaving Europe often in a reactive posture.

In response, Europe is cautiously but deliberately reducing its dependence on the U.S. Strategic autonomy is no longer a slogan — it's a policy direction. Investments in defense, digital sovereignty, and industrial strategy reflect a continent preparing for greater self-reliance.

Meanwhile, China and Russia are taking advantage of Western disunity, advancing aggressively in fields like artificial intelligence. While the U.S. and EU debate ethics and coordination, geopolitical competitors are setting the pace — and the standards.

Trade talks further highlight the disconnect. Transatlantic discussions remain focused on outdated sectors, while the real economy is shifting toward digital, green, and high-tech industries. This gap between rhetoric and reality weakens the potential of economic cooperation.

Deeper issues also lie in non-tariff barriers, which reflect not just technical differences but divergent political cultures. Overcoming these requires more than regulatory tweaks — it needs political will.

For the U.S., another challenge is accepting economic trade-offs. Some sectors can no longer compete domestically at scale. Strategic resilience means paying more in certain areas while investing in innovation and high-value production.

Above all, both sides need less symbolism and more coordination. True transatlantic strength will come not from summits and declarations, but from daily collaboration — across agencies, industries, and institutions.

That said, Europe has proven it can move swiftly in a crisis. From COVID-19 recovery to energy diversification after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has shown resilience and adaptability. The question is whether it can institutionalize that agility in a more permanent strategy.

The transatlantic bond endures, but it must evolve. Realism, not nostalgia, must guide the next phase of cooperation. Without that, the alliance risks becoming a comfortable illusion rather than a dynamic force in a changing world.