EU-US security relations enter new era under Biden

Significance

The United States has re-established its commitment to NATO and requested to participate in the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Military Mobility project. Among other things, the EU and United States have agreed to initiate a new dialogue on security and defence. However, the disorderly withdrawal from Afghanistan underscores the challenges ahead.

Impacts

• Despite initial progress, there is much potential for EU-US conflict, over issues such as trade and China.
• Re-imagining NATO’s role could be a critical area of debate between the United States and Europeans over the coming years.
• Victory for the Greens in Germany's federal election might increase the scope for transatlantic cooperation on China.