Are Europe and America’s interests still aligned? | The Economist

Key Concepts

• Transatlantic Partnership: The political and economic relationship between North America (primarily the US) and Europe.
• MAGA (Make America Great Again): The ideological underpinning of current US foreign policy, characterized by a perceived critique of European liberalism and immigration policies.
• America First: The policy doctrine prioritizing the Western Hemisphere, Indo-Pacific, then Europe, followed by the Middle East and Africa.
• National Security Strategy (November 2025): The official document outlining US foreign policy priorities.
• Value Base vs. Interest Base: The distinction between ideological alignment and pragmatic self-interest in international relations.

The Current State of the Transatlantic Partnership

The speaker argues that claiming the transatlantic partnership is currently “stronger than ever” is inaccurate, though a complete collapse isn’t inevitable. The core strategy should be focusing on areas of mutual interest – specifically citing defence (including NATO), minerals, technology, and, in Finland’s case, icebreakers – while accepting “cordial disagreement” on issues like the European Union, international institutions, the “liberal world order,” and climate change. The central premise is adapting to reality: “deal with the world as it is, not as you would wish it to be.”

Shifting US Priorities and Ideology

A significant shift in US foreign policy is identified, characterized by a “right-wing value base” and a “financial interest base.” Crucially, the US is perceived as less reliant on traditional alliances than in the past. This shift is framed within the context of the current administration’s foreign policy doctrine, as outlined in the National Security Strategy published in November 2025. This doctrine is described as having two distinct pillars: MAGA and America First.

The MAGA ideology views Europe as excessively liberal and self-destructive due to immigration, employing “harsh language” in its critique. The speaker notes the irony that US immigration rates are, in fact, higher than those in Europe. This strand specifically targets multicultural cities like London.

The "America First" Policy and Regional Prioritization

The “America First” policy establishes a clear pecking order for US foreign policy engagement. The Western Hemisphere is prioritized first, followed by the Indo-Pacific region, then Europe, the Middle East, and finally Africa. This prioritization represents a fundamental shift in how the US allocates its resources and attention. This is presented as “the reality where we live in.”

Interests vs. Values: A Pragmatic Assessment

Despite ideological differences, the speaker acknowledges that shared interests still bind the US and Europe in certain areas. Specifically, it is demonstrably in the US interest to have a strong, well-defended Finland bordering Russia (1340km border length), strong Arctic defence forces in Sweden and Norway, and to prevent Russia from establishing spheres of influence within Europe. The speaker concludes that, at present, these shared interests likely outweigh value-based concerns in maintaining a functional relationship.

Notable Quote

“Deal with the world as it is, not as you would wish it to be.” – The speaker, framing the need for pragmatic adaptation to the current geopolitical landscape.

Technical Terms

• Spheres of Interest: A geographically defined area where a state exerts political, economic, or military influence.
• National Security Strategy: A formal document outlining a nation’s goals, roles, and instruments of national power to promote its interests and values.
• Indo-Pacific: A geographical region encompassing the Indian and Pacific Oceans, increasingly central to US strategic focus.

Logical Connections

The argument progresses from an initial assessment of the weakened transatlantic partnership to a detailed analysis of the underlying causes – specifically, the ideological and policy shifts within the US. The prioritization of regions under the “America First” doctrine is presented as a consequence of these shifts. Finally, the speaker attempts to reconcile these shifts with continued areas of shared interest, suggesting a pragmatic path forward based on mutual benefit rather than ideological alignment.

Data and Statistics

• 1340km: The length of the border between Finland and Russia, highlighting Finland’s strategic importance.
• November 2025: The publication date of the US National Security Strategy, serving as a key reference point for understanding current US foreign policy.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The core takeaway is that the transatlantic partnership is undergoing a significant strain due to a fundamental shift in US priorities and ideology. While complete disintegration is not predicted, maintaining the relationship requires a pragmatic approach focused on shared interests – particularly security concerns related to Russia – and accepting divergence on values and broader geopolitical visions. The speaker advocates for a realistic assessment of the current situation and a willingness to “deal with the world as it is,” rather than clinging to outdated assumptions about the strength and nature of the transatlantic alliance.