Policy Insight - A New Atlantic Consensus and Its Foes
Atlanticist–Europeanist Convergence and the Nationalist Challenge. A Policy Insight by Riccardo Alcaro
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FileA New Atlantic Consensus and Its Foes.pdf (540.7 KB)
Executive summary
Donald Trump’s second term has narrowed the divide between Atlanticists and Europeanists. Europe has responded through appeasement, ad hoc coalitions and EU initiatives in defence, trade and technology.
These approaches remain fragmented but point towards a stronger European role within the Atlantic alliance.
The paper recommends combining NATO coordination with EU joint funding, procurement and defence production, while expanding European military capabilities and preserving cooperation with US firms.
Washington should stop exploiting European dependencies and recognise Europe’s need to preserve its industrial capacity. Europeans should pursue the three approaches in parallel to limit damage under Trump and prepare a more balanced partnership after his presidency.
The most urgent threat comes from nationalist forces within Europe: weakening EU integration would deepen dependence on the United States and undermine a renewed transatlantic consensus.
IEP Bocconi does not express opinions of its own. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the authors.
