Diplomatic relations between the EU and the U.S. date back to 1953. Many important questions between EU and the U.S. are being discussed at the moment, such as withdrawal of the US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, the need to strenghten EU's strategic autonomy and defence capabilities or economic cooperation.

In a resolution on future EU-US relations adopted in the plenary in October, MEPs advocate the EU’s strategic autonomy and call for better EU-US coordination on China to avoid tensions. MEPs welcome the US’s support for rules-based multilateralism, as this provides an important opportunity to re-engage, as an equal partner.

The report stresses that, in deepening transatlantic cooperation, the EU should strive to lead alongside the US, while fostering its strategic autonomy in defence and economic relations as a means to pursue its own legitimate diplomatic, security and economic interests. MEPs also called for reflection on the lessons learnt from the situation in Afghanistan.

A new EU-US agenda for global change adopted by the Commission in December 2020 identified scope for cooperation on the pandemic,the climate, trade,security and democracy.

But progress in some areas has been slow: a US travel ban on foreign visitors was lifted only on 20 September 2021, months after the EU eased restrictions on US travellers; tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on EU steel and aluminium exports on national security grounds remain in place; and talks on a new cross-border data agreement have not yet concluded. Moreover, the US has appeared not to consult the EU on major foreign policy decisions: such as support for a proposal to waive intellectual property protections for Covid-19 vaccines. The exodus of NATO forces from Afghanistan in August 2021 also drew criticism from some European US allies.

EU - USA

This package contains the events of 2019 and 2020. For latest events, see related links.

Diplomatic relations between the EU and the U.S. date back to 1953. 
The relationship between the EU and the United States is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. The EU and U.S. are the biggest economic and military powers in the world, dominate global trade, play the leading roles in international political relations.

EU - USA (2019-2020)

EP Plenary session - Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027

Statement by David McALLISTER (EPP,DE), Chair of the EP delegation with United States, following the results of the United States Presidential election

Statement by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, following the results of the United States Presidential election

During the plenary session (11 - 13 November 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the outcome of the US presidential elections. One round of political group speakers.

The outcome of the US presidential elections: One round of political group speakers

During the plenary session (11-13 November 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the outcome of the US presidential elections. Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

The outcome of the US presidential elections: Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC iand speakers of political groups take the floor to comment on the outcome of the US elections of 3 November 2020.

Outcome of the US presidential elections: extracts from the debate

David SASSOLI, EP President, makes a statement following the announcement of the results of the 2020 US Presidential election.

Statement by David SASSOLI, EP President on the results of the 2020 US Presidential election

David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) makes a statement following the temporary results of the 2020 US Presidential election (Skype video recording). Given the high level of polarisation in the United States and the substantial divergence between the policies of the incumbent and those of his contenders, the results of this presidential election will in many ways define the next four years for the US, for transatlantic relations and for global governance.

Statement by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs on the results of the 2020 US Presidential election (Skype video recording)

David McALLISTER (EPP,DE), Chair of the EP delegation with the&nbsp;United States, expresses himself&nbsp;following the results of the United States Presidential election&nbsp;

Statement by David McALLISTER (EPP,DE), Chair of the EP delegation with the United States, following the results of the United States Presidential election

Martin SCHULZ, EP President, expresses himself following the results of the United States Presidential election, in the EP in Brussels.