European Strategic Autonomy and a New Transatlantic Bargain

Summary:

With Joe Biden’s election as US President, many Europeans will want to forget Trump’s presidency ever happened, and may row back on their efforts to develop EU strategic autonomy. But Europeans should not be tempted to act as if Trump’s presidency never occurred. Trumpism is likely to endure, and Europeans cannot be sure whether the president after Biden will be committed to European security.  Europeans do not need to choose between pursuing their security through the EU, or through NATO and the alliance with the US, nor should they. Instead of debating strategic autonomy, Europeans should focus their efforts on concrete steps that would improve their security and defence capabilities, and help them to develop a common strategic outlook. This will ensure they are better able to protect their interests, whether acting together with the US, through the EU or through other frameworks.

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ESO Records

CER Bulletin: Apr./May 2019: Appalled by Strategic Autonomy? Applaud it Instead https://www.europeansources.info/record/appalled-by-strategic-autonomy-applaud-it-instead/

Clingendael Reports: Dec. 2020: European strategic autonomy in security and defence. Now the going gets tough, it’s time to get going https://www.europeansources.info/record/european-strategic-autonomy-in-security-and-defence-now-the-going-gets-tough-its-time-to-get-going/

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