President Joe Biden has made rebuilding the transatlantic partnership a focus of his administration after four years of frosty relations between Europe and the United States. One of the most important American partners in Europe is Germany, so the relationship between Washington and Berlin will be central for developing the fresh prospects for cooperation. As the Biden administration hits its stride, Germany is entering its own election cycle, with regional elections this spring building to a federal election on September 26 and a new new chancellor will take office later this year.
Climate, the role of digital technologies, global trade, China, and Russia are high on the long list of issues that could benefit from close transatlantic consultation and policy coordination. In the United States, Germany, and the EU, politicians and the public are increasingly aware of the fragility of democracy as well as the need to defend it in the face of rising authoritarian powers around the world. Yet real obstacles remain for rebuilding the transatlantic partnership.
On this episode, Dr. Daniela Schwarzer, Director of German Council on Foreign Relations (DGRP), joins AICGS President Jeff Rathke and AICGS Senior Fellow and Director of the Society, Culture & Politics Program Dr. Eric Langenbacher to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the transatlantic relationship. How to rebuild trust and invent a transatlantic agenda for the future? Will perceived national interests or personalities drive the next German chancellor’s foreign policy approach? How could the different coalition possibilities after the election influence Germany’s role and the transatlantic relationship?

Host
Jeff Rathke, President, AICGS
Guests
Daniela Schwarzer, Director, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGRP)
Eric Langenbacher, Senior Fellow and Director, Society, Culture & Politics Program