• Research
  • Strategic Europe
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Europe logoCarnegie lettermark logo
EUUkraine
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [
    "Federiga Bindi",
    "Constanze Stelzenmüller",
    "John J. Mearsheimer",
    "Carla Norrlof",
    "John Donvan"
  ],
  "type": "other",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "European Foreign Policy in a New Transatlantic Context"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "EP",
  "programs": [
    "Europe"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States",
    "Eastern Europe",
    "Western Europe",
    "Iran"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Security",
    "Foreign Policy",
    "Global Governance"
  ]
}
REQUIRED IMAGE

REQUIRED IMAGE

Other

The Transatlantic Relationship Has Been Irreparably Damaged

Rising populism and inequality, coupled with surprising election outcomes in the United States and Europe, may signal an end to this historic transatlantic relationship.

Link Copied
By Federiga Bindi, Constanze Stelzenmüller, John J. Mearsheimer, Carla Norrlof, John Donvan
Published on Jun 28, 2019

Source: Intelligence Squared U.S.

The transatlantic relationship has been a hallmark of the liberal international order for decades and, for many, a source of global peace and stability. But rising populism and inequality, coupled with surprising election outcomes in the United States and Europe, may signal an end to this historic relationship. Some worry that President Trump's support for Brexit, attacks on NATO, and tariff threats against the EU mark a significant departure from past administrations. And anti-establishment sentiments are growing on the other side of the Atlantic, too, as nationalist leaders gain ground across Europe. But others aren’t as worried, saying the relationship has weathered turbulent times before, including the Iraq War. As long as the U.S. and Europe face common threats, including China, election-hacking, and terrorism, they argue, the bond will remain strong. Is the transatlantic relationship as we know it doomed? Or will it prevail for decades to come?

This was originally published by the Intelligence Squared U.S.

About the Authors

Federiga Bindi

Former Nonresident Scholar, Europe Program

Federiga Bindi was a nonresident scholar in the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace working on European politics, EU foreign policy, and transatlantic relations.

Constanze Stelzenmüller

Contstanze Stelzenmüller is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

John J. Mearsheimer

John J. Mearsheimer is an American political scientist and a professor at the University of Chicago.

Carla Norrlof

Carla Norrlof is a professor at the University of Toronto.

John Donvan

John Donvan is the host and moderator of the Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates.

Authors

Federiga Bindi
Former Nonresident Scholar, Europe Program
Constanze Stelzenmüller

Contstanze Stelzenmüller is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

John J. Mearsheimer

John J. Mearsheimer is an American political scientist and a professor at the University of Chicago.

Carla Norrlof

Carla Norrlof is a professor at the University of Toronto.

John Donvan

John Donvan is the host and moderator of the Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates.

Political ReformSecurityForeign PolicyGlobal GovernanceNorth AmericaUnited StatesEastern EuropeWestern EuropeIran

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Europe

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    Time to Merge the Commission and EEAS

    The EU is structurally incapable of reacting to today’s foreign policy crises. The union must fold the EEAS into the European Commission and create a security council better prepared to take action on the global stage.

      Stefan Lehne

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    Russia’s Imperial Retreat Is Europe’s Strategic Opportunity

    The war in Ukraine is costing Russia its leverage overseas. Across the South Caucasus and Middle East, this presents an opportunity for Europe to pick up the pieces and claim its own sphere of influence.

      William Dixon, Maksym Beznosiuk

  • Commentary
    Is the Radical-Right Threat Existential or Overstated?

    Amid increased polarization and the influence of disinformation, radical-right parties are once again gaining traction across Europe. With landmark elections on the horizon in several countries, are the EU’s geostrategic vision and fundamental values under existential threat?

      Catherine Fieschi, Cas Mudde

  • Research
    Planetary vs International Security: Economic Growth at the Crossroads

    Economic growth is at the heart of a dilemma between planetary and international security.

      Olivia Lazard

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    Europe and the Arab Gulf Must Come Together

    The war in Iran proves the United States is now a destabilizing actor for Europe and the Arab Gulf. From protect their economies and energy supplies to safeguarding their territorial integrity, both regions have much to gain from forming a new kind of partnership together.

      • Rym Momtaz

      Rym Momtaz

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Europe
Carnegie Europe logo, white
Rue du Congrès, 151000 Brussels, Belgium
  • Research
  • Strategic Europe
  • About
  • Experts
  • Projects
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Gender Equality Plan
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Europe
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.