Transatlantic defence cooperation in the Trump era

Author: Paul Taylor, Politico journalist and Friends of Europe Senior Fellow | Friends of Europe | Published 28 January 2020

Friends of Europe’s latest report on peace, security and defence examines the political and strategic context of the relationship between NATO allies in Europe and North America. A minefield of opportunity: transatlantic defence in the Trump era was launched in Brussels on 28 January 2020.

An element of strategic divergence means the US and Europe are currently “not quite watching the same movie on the two sides of the Atlantic”, but there is hope that transatlantic defence industrial cooperation can function better if trade-offs are accepted and we have a shared view of the value of working together as allies, writes Paul Taylor.

The report examines the political and strategic context – both historical and current – that helps shape the relationship between NATO allies in Europe and North America.

It takes a detailed look at the American and European defence sector markets, the challenges and obstacles that remain within their structures and regulations, and how more efficient and open defence industrial cooperation could effectively plug NATO-identified capability gaps, strengthen joint efforts to tackle the changing nature of security threats, improve interoperability and give the taxpayer better value for money.

Access the full report (external link to Friends of Europe website)