It has yet to be finalized, but it very much looks like Joe Biden, former Vice President under the Obama administration, will be the next President of the United States. Many European leaders, including the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have congratulated Biden on his victory and have expressed willingness to work together in the future. Von der Leyen referred to Biden as a “committed transatlanticist; a friend in the White House” who “deeply understands the importance of European integration for both sides of the Atlantic”.
So far, it seems like a Joe Biden presidency will end the four-year-long tense relationship between the EU and its main ally across the Atlantic, stemming from the Trump administration. However, only time will tell if these relations live up to their expectations. The two entities need to re-up their cooperation levels across various pressing issues if they want to exercise friendlier and stronger ties.
Key areas of cooperation
At an online event hosted by the EU’s Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), von der Leyen discussed how Biden winning the election is critical for rebuilding transatlantic relations. The Commission President also laid out four different elements to be the core of a new agenda aimed at strengthening the ties between the two allies, as well as addressing the current global crisis, among other impending challenges, and recovering from them. Von der Leyen proposed: 1. Overcoming the global pandemic; 2. Protecting our climate and environment; 3. Shaping digital/tech governance and 4. Upgrading global institutions, to be the core elements of a new transatlantic agenda (EEAS).
It is no secret to anyone that the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the global economy, with those of both the EU and United States being no exceptions. Countries around the world must cooperate to efficiently deal with the deadly pandemic and overcome it, so it is a good idea for the two transatlantic allies to share resources, research, and policies necessary to diminish the effects of the virus and get rid of it once and for all. Once the virus is gone and local, national, and international markets can operate at a greater capacity, economies will again begin to flourish.
Early in November, the US had formally withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement, an international effort to combat climate change by seeking regulations to cut greenhouse gas emissions, due to President Trump’s decision dating back to 2019. EU leaders were disappointed in America’s exit from the agreement, and the move also served to further strain the relations between the two entities. Since then, the EU has taken the role of leading the global fight against climate change, and, as French President Emmanuel Macron stated, the EU is decisively cooperating with China on this issue.
However, President-Elect Biden has promised that America would rejoin the agreement in as early as February, and further develop their efforts to combat climate change, in accordance with the agreement. America’s reentering in the agreement would starkly increase the cooperation between Europe and its friend across the pond, providing effective policy to deter the effects of climate change and further warming (no pun intended) the relations between the two.
On a similar note, Biden has continuously expressed his support for transatlantic cooperation in defense and security, something his predecessor Trump has been criticizing. Trump even entertained the idea of abandoning NATO, on the ground that was unfair to America that other European members did not pay their fair share. In sum, according to Trump, NATO does not serve American interests.
On the contrary, Biden has stressed that “”[T]he United States’ commitment is sacred, not transactional. NATO is at the very heart of the United States’ national security, and it is the bulwark of the liberal democratic ideal – an alliance of values, which makes it far more durable, reliable, and powerful than partnerships built by coercion or cash” .
Biden emphasizes that America will continue to advance its security and defense cooperation efforts with Europe; despite this, similarly to Trump, he still wishes that fellow European allies would increase their defense spending in order to strengthen their defensive capabilities.
Interestingly enough, several German politicians, most notably Chancellor Merkel, President Steinmeier, Defense Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer, and Foreign Minister Maas, have already expressed their intentions to increase their defense spending to renewing their commitments to defense efforts (i.e., NATO), upon Biden’s inauguration. Is it possible that other European nations follow in the steps of Germany? Quite frankly so, as, now more than ever, collective defense looks highly important in the eyes of many European leaders.
What does this mean for the EU?
For many leading experts and policymakers, it certainly looks like warm relations in the transatlantic community will be restored under the new Biden administration. The two entities will cooperate in health security to establish and implement effective measures against the coronavirus pandemic. Trump’s artificial trade war with the EU “foe” will end, and international markets and trade will very likely flourish between the two, once the pandemic is properly dealt with. America will re-enter the EU-led Paris Climate Agreement, and collective efforts to combat climate change and further innovation in renewable energy will also serve to increase cooperation and aid in the restoration of relations.
Biden’s commitment to strengthening transatlantic defensive capabilities will most probably ensure that America does not “leave its allies behind”. Such a commitment may also motivate for the EU member states to increase their commitments to transatlantic defense efforts like Germany is planning to do. So far, a Biden administration seems like the right answer for thawing relations between the two allies.
However, Biden has not yet provided standpoints on other issues critical to the EU. For instance, neither Biden nor Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris has expressed opinions or even policies to deal with Brexit (for instance, post-Brexit trade deals). It is true, Biden has previously been a critic of Brexit, but, currently, it is unclear whether he will give a greater priority to the “special relationship” between the US and UK or to foster the development of stronger EU-US relations.
There are also European leaders who are skeptical of the US’ “return to the good old times” of international relations of the pre-Trump era, because America is currently faced with greater internal challenges, pressing to its stability, which some belief might result in “US introversion” (Rettman).
Speaking to Belgian radio, Justice Commissioner Reynders suggested that it will be better for the EU to explore multilateralism with other powers, such as Russia, China, and India, in the face of American retreat (Rettman). Time will truly tell.
References
Ohnesorge, Hendrik W. “Joe Biden and the Future of Transatlantic Relations.” E-International Relations, 1 Dec. 2020, www.e-ir.info/2020/12/01/joe-biden-and-the-future-of-transatlantic-relations/.
“President Von Der Leyen Discusses New Transatlantic Agenda.” EEAS, eeas.europa.eu/delegations/united-states-america/89593/president-von-der-leyen-discusses-new-transatlantic-agenda_en.
Rettman, Andrew. “EU Politicians Wary of US Even If Biden Wins.” EU Observer, 6 Nov. 2020, euobserver.com/foreign/149970.
Tamma, Paola, and Kalina Oroschakoff. “US Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement Greeted with EU Shrug.” POLITICO, POLITICO, 14 Nov. 2019, www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-us-withdrawal-from-paris-climate-agreement-greeted-with-eu-shrug/.