International Policy

Increasingly, Trump is causing headaches for EU trade policy makers with tariffs of 25% and 10% on steel and aluminium respectively. The United States turn towards protectionism while the EU sticks to an open, rules-based global economy. 

Saving the lives of refugees and other migrants has been reiterated as a number one priority within the European Agenda on Migration. This document puts ‘saving lives at sea’ above fighting migrant smuggling, relocation and resettlement, stating that ‘Europe cannot stand by whilst lives are being lost.’ 

The West is more and more divided and global strategic interests are diverging. The impact of the US President on views and transatlantic trust is significant. Protectionism and populism undermine Western relations. 

The Council of Europe secures human rights but Russia has its own understanding of rules and procedures. How to deal with the quirky member in order to preserve without offending? 

NATO and Transatlantic relations have to be redefined in the context of a multispeed Europe and geopolitical tensions and security matters Can a reshaped Euro-American alliance confront Russian provocations and terrorism? And what is Turkey’s strategy? 

Trump’s accession to the White House shows that his policy constitutes a turning point in transatlantic relations but also shows certain indices of continuities in American foreign policy of the last decades.

In the past few years Europe faced several severe challenges both internally and externally. The way how the EU will deal with issues such as a changed security environment is crucial for its further development.

The Euromaidan protests in 2013 triggered a series of events which led to the deterioation of EU-Russia relations. A look into three parameters of the relationship: narrative, power and the future.

Oscillating between conflict and cooperation, the EU-Russia relations are of strategic importance in key policy areas such as European security

Positions between the EU and the US diverge regarding democratic values and a business man approach when it comes to multi-lateral negotiations. The American policy on Russia and the new Franco-German sympathies will impact international relations.