The future of trans-Atlantic Relations

U.S. Ambassador to Germany Daniel Coats at C·A·P for Trans-Atlantic Dialogue, May 26, 2004, Munich

27.05.2004 · Improving Responsiveness

What is the current state of trans-Atlantic relations and what are the strategic needs for future trans-Atlantic partnership? What is the self-awareness of the societies in the United States and in Germany and what are the resulting implications on trans-Atlantic relations? These are only some questions that were debated on a trans-Atlantic dialogue for young Atlanticists at the Center for Applied Policy Research (C·A·P) on Wednesday, 26 May 2004. Within the framework of its Trans-Atlantic Issues Series as part of the trans-Atlantic "Improving Responsiveness" program, C·A·P in cooperation with the U.S. Consulate General in Munich, gathered some 40 young people from academia, business, government, think-tanks, and the media. Two young experts on trans-Atlantic relations were the main discussants: Ms. Julianne Smith, Deputy Director of the International Security Program at the Washington based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Mr. Karl Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg, member of the German Bundestag and its foreign affairs committee. As special guests C·A·P was proud to welcome the Ambassador of the United States to Germany in Berlin, H.E. Mr. Daniel Coats, and Consul General of the United States to Germany in Munich, H.E. Mr. Matthew Rooney.

C·A·P Director Werner Weidenfeld (left) with the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Daniel Coats (center), and the U.S. Consul-General in Munich, H.E. Matthew Rooney (right).

In the dialogue which was moderated by C·A·P director Professor Weidenfeld several issues of trans-Atlantic relations were raised: Looking back into the history of German-American relations the relationship has always been ambivalent and the forty years of great partnership during the Cold War were rather unusual. The current rift in German-American relations is, thus, no precedent, even though the extent of deterioration in the relations was surprising to many trans-Atlantic observers. The current rift, at the same time, is not the result of 11 September 2001 nor of the US-led invasion in Iraq; the deterioration has rather started with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, today the tactical realm of German-American relations looks brighter than many may expect, with wide-ranging cooperation in combating terrorism and security cooperation within NATO. However, there are huge strategic differences with respect to threat assessment, the use of force, and state sovereignty.

One major concern for the discussants was, however, the current public opinion on trans-Atlantic cooperation and the lack of public leadership in this regard. A young generation with a far more pragmatic stance on trans-Atlantic relations and a political elite which aims at gaining electoral votes by surfing the wave of current Anti-Americanism or Anti-Europeanism respectively pose big challenges to fruitful trans-Atlantic relations. The call for better public diplomacy was therefore made by most discussants. The U.S. Ambassador's response that the U.S. Embassy in Berlin has recently launched a new initiative to improve and redefine the U.S. position in German public opinion was thus of great interest: The new course in dealing with the German public is now rather based on listening, debating, and public discourse; unlike during the Cold War times, the U.S. has to listen to and learn from its allies, in this case Germany, a lot more. In parallel action, the strategic partnership between Germany and Europe on the one hand and the United States on the other hand has to be redefined - and redefined quickly. The main obstacle to do so, however, is the European lack of strategic thinking, notwithstanding last year's EU security strategy which already was a great leap forward for the EU. Without defined foreign policy interests of Germany and the EU, the road to a strategic trans-Atlantic community is still rocky, winding and in dust.

From left to right: Karl Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg, Werner Weidenfeld, Julianne Smith, Matthew Rooney.