More Europe, Less US? The Future of the Transatlantic Partnership

What happens when Europe’s most important security partner changes its priorities? The second Trump administration is currently presenting the transatlantic partnership with new political, economic and security challenges. The war with Iran has not only changed the security situation in the Middle East, but is also having a direct impact on Europe through rising energy prices and uncertainty surrounding international trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Washington is calling on European NATO member states to take greater responsibility for their own defence and to increase defence spending. And with further US tariffs announced for 60 trading partners, including the European Union, economic relations are also coming under increasing pressure.

European states therefore face a fundamental question: How much economic and security dependence on the United States can and does Europe want to afford in the future? NATO has formed the foundation of European security policy for decades. At the same time, the EU and the US are economically as closely intertwined as hardly any other two partners, with trade and investment amounting to around €1.8 trillion in 2025. Current developments are fundamentally reshaping the relationship between Europe and the United States. Economic, foreign policy and security policy issues are becoming increasingly difficult to separate.

We are delighted to welcome Julia Friedlander, Managing Director of the transatlantic network Atlantik-Brücke, to the Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe on Wednesday, 2 September 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Together with you and Julia Friedlander, we would like to discuss these and other questions: What are the implications of the second Trump administration for Europe’s security future and the transatlantic partnership? How can Europe become strategically more independent without losing the United States as its most important partner? What role do the US and Europe play in the war in Ukraine and the conflict with Iran – and what does this mean for European security? And what role do tariffs and sanctions play in foreign policy today?

We look forward to welcoming you and kindly ask you to register by 1 September 2026.