Introduction
The relationship between the European Union and the United States of America that had extended over six decades plays an immeasurably significant role both for involved countries and international communities across the globe. As a matter of fact, the EU-USA partnership was constructed on the basis of shared values that include freedom, legality, democracy, free enterprise, endeavors to alleviate poverty, and respect for human rights. These values, in combination with the interconnected and interdependent transatlantic economy and the long-lasting collaboration in the sphere of security and defense, create a solid union that may confront multiple global challenges. The United States and the members of the European Union share global responsibilities to provide peace, the stability of global trade, monetary and financial systems, and create appropriate conditions for economic development worldwide. In addition, the EU-USA partnership provides official development assistance to strengthen the developing countries’ economies all over the world. The purpose of this paper is to examine and evaluate EU-USA relations in various spheres of governmental activity.
Trade and Investment
In the present day, the United States and the European Union have the most integrated interrelation in the sphere of economy and the largest bilateral investment and trade relationship worldwide. The total investment of all involved countries is regarded as the key factor of the development of transatlantic relationships that substantively contributes to business growth and employment “on both sides of the Atlantic” (European Commission, 2019, para. 2). In addition, the investment of the United States in the economy of the European Union is three times higher in comparison with total American investment in Asian countries (European Commission, 2019). In turn, the EU investment for the United States is eight times higher than the Union’s investment in China and India (European Commission, 2019). EU-USA relationships define the general shape of the global economy, as the European Union and the United States are the most essential trade and investment partners for the majority of counties across the globe (European Commission, 2019). The main import and export categories include machinery, pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, aircraft, mineral fuel, vehicles, and electrical machinery.
The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, and Belgium are the countries involved in EU-USA trade and investment relationships to a greater extent in comparison with other countries. In 2007, the Transatlantic Economic Council was established in order to provide transatlantic economic growth and “guide the work on transatlantic economic convergence” (European Commission, 2019, para. 5). It may be defined as the unique high-level forum that implies the discussion of economic issues between the United States and the members of the European Union in a coordinated and coherent manner. The Transatlantic Economic Council integrates “a range of ongoing economic cooperation activities” and creates a specific platform for political guidance for economic solutions (European Commission, 2019, para. 5). In addition, the council unites the US Cabinet and the European Commission that have certain political responsibilities to strengthen economic ties.
Despite the number of inevitable trade disputes, the relationship between the European Union and the United States continues to develop. In 2018, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and US President Donald Trump accepted a joint statement dedicated to the formation of an Executive Working Group. This group aims to reduce transatlantic trade barriers and eliminate non-tariff barriers and non-auto industrial tariffs (Office of the United States Trade Representative, n.d.). According to Robert Lighthizer, US Trade Representative, the Trump Administration started negotiations and intended to complete necessary domestic procedures (Office of the United States Trade Representative, n.d.). In addition, the representatives of both sides organize regular meetings to expand transatlantic cooperation
Security and Defense
The European Union and the United States may be regarded as highly significant strategic partners in promoting stability and peace across the globe. The involved countries work together in order to confront global security issues such as transnational crime, cybercrime, terrorism, and nuclear weapon proliferation (“The United States and the EU,” 2017). The 9/11 terrorist attacks had a substantial impact on the security policies of the United States and all members of the European Union that worked “as a catalyst for EU-US counter-terrorism relations” (Anagnostakis, 2017, p. 1). In recent years, the partners have concluded a crucial number of international agreements related to “customs security, the transfer of air travelers’ data, the transfer of financial data, mutual legal assistance and extradition, and security research” (Anagnostakis, 2017, p. 1). Moreover, according to these agreements, the countries’ judicial information, operational information, and criminal intelligence may be shared with the European Police Office and Eurojust (Anagnostakis, 2017). In addition, the cooperation between the European Union and the United States affects various areas of policy related to internal security, such as the standards of travel documents, stolen passports, money counterfeiting, human trafficking, cybercrime, and child pornography.
In the present day, the United States and the European Union are equal members of several international organizations as well. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) may be regarded as an example of these international groups. Founded in 1949, it currently consists of Canada, the United States, and the majority of European countries (Sonny, 2012). The main purpose of NATO is mutual defense and help in case if one of its members will be attacked.
Energy Consumption and Environment
In general, the United States and the European Union share common approaches to the global issues of climate change and increased energy consumption. All involved states cooperate in the energy industry in order to promote open, competitive, sustainable, and transparent global energy markets (“The United States and the EU,” 2017). However, there are certain disagreements between countries that occurred when the United States attracted criticism from the members of the European Union after George Bush’s withdrawal of governmental support for the Kyoto Protocol (Sonny, 2012). This international agreement was created to reduce the carbon emissions that have a highly negative impact on the planet’s environment. However, in 2009, the situation began to change when Barack Obama refused to continue the policy of his antecedent and stated that the United States was “ready to lead on climate change” (Sonny, 2012, p. 1). The Energy Council was subsequently established by the partners to increase cooperation in the sphere of environment protection to reduce climate change.
Concerning the cooperation of the United States and the European Union in the energy area, the examination of the countries’ relationship demonstrates “the contrasting energy pictures across the Atlantic” (Conley, Ladislaw, & Hudson, 2016, p. 159). The partners previously shared a common energy paradigm of decreasing supply, increasing demand, and energy dependence on imports (Conley, Ladislaw, & Hudson, 2016). Although the United States has currently reversed that trajectory, the European Union still faces rising energy costs and growing energy dependence.
Conclusion
It goes without saying that the cooperation between the European Union and the United States of America has a substantively long history. There are no other regions all over the world that are connected more closely to politics, economics, and security. In the present day, the United States and the European Union have the most integrated interrelation in the sphere of economy and the largest bilateral investment and trade relationship worldwide. They may be regarded as highly significant strategic partners that work together in order to promote stability and peace across the globe confronting global security issues such as transnational crime, terrorism, and nuclear weapon proliferation. In addition, the European Union and the United States share common approaches to the global issues of the environmental crisis and increased energy consumption. They cooperate in the energy industry in order to promote open, competitive, sustainable, and transparent global energy markets
From a personal perspective, disagreements between countries with different cultures, visions, and standards of living are inevitable. Vague and unpredictable contemporary policies and global challenges substantially influence the partners’ relations in a negative way. However, despite the existence of tense and divergent issues, the cooperation of European countries with the United States is irreversible and solid in multiple aspects. A strong partnership between all involved countries is crucial for the establishment of a more prosperous, democratic, and secure world. In general, the United States and the European Union currently need a positive relationship and will require it in the future as well. The strengthening of ties between countries and effective cooperation is more beneficial than disagreements and conflicts.
References
Anagnostakis, D. (2017). EU-US cooperation on internal security: Building a transatlantic regime. Routledge.
Conley, H., Ladislaw, S., & Hudson, A. (2016). The US-EU energy relationship. In J. M. Godzimirski (Ed.). EU leadership in energy and environmental governance: International political economy series (pp. 159-180). Palgrave Macmillan
European Commission. (2019). Countries and regions: United States.Web.
Office of the United States Trade Representative. (n.d.). U.S.-EU trade agreement negotiations.Web.
Sonny, A. (2012). EU-USA relations. Web.
The United States and the EU. (2017). European Union External Action. Web.