Transatlantic Dialogue: Modernizing the U.S. EU Relationship
The relationship between the United States and the European Union has become increasingly more vital due to the extensive cooperation on a wide range of issues from trade to national security. The U.S. Congress and Administration have the opportunity to re-assess and renewal the transatlantic partnership during this critical time. The United States and Europe’s historic partnership continues to be an important piece of the foreign policy apparatus for the U.S. government. Meridian’s U.S.-European Dialogue convenes leaders from the public, private, and diplomatic sectors across the Atlantic around timely issues central to the multilateral relationship. Meridian identifies key areas for collaboration on current economic, strategic, and social issues, and lay the groundwork for concrete initiatives to address shared challenges. Through this dialogue, Meridian hosts leaders and decisionmakers from Europe through intimate salon dinners, roundtables, receptions, and exchanges.
Framing the Dialogue
The U.S.-European Dialogue examines:
- economic challenges facing the United States and European Union in addition to their relationships with other developed economies
- strategic priorities to achieve shared goals on technology security, trade, growth, the environment, energy, etc.
- the importance of health security and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic
- an in-depth study of digital policy frameworks specifically antitrust & competition, digital taxes, privacy, emerging technologies
- discussions regarding the future of trade & multilateral organizations (WTO) such as the Appellate Body process and WTO reform
- Other areas as defined in consultation with partners.
Flagship Series:
ONE ATLANTIC: MODERNIZING THE U.S. EU RELATIONSHIP
Meridian International Center’s Corporate Council and the European Parliament Liaison Office (EPLO) seek to contribute towards strengthening this relationship by introducing a partnered program series: One Atlantic: Modernizing the U.S.-EU Relationship.
The One Atlantic series will provide a platform where representatives from the U.S. Congress and EU Parliament to discuss pressing global issues, find common ground, and work together to deepen this essential relationship. This programs series will also incorporate input from the private sector, congressional staffers, and other key stakeholders.
In 2021, the One Atlantic series held two programs bringing together one Member of Congress and one Member of the European Parliament for each wherein they held an open dialogue on each of the following issues, respectively:
- Environment – Rejoining the Paris Agreement & Cooperation on climate matters
- Congresswoman Cathy Castor & MEP Pascal Canfin
- U.S.-EU-China Relationship – Cooperation on trade, human rights, 5G, and IPR
- Congressman Darin LaHood & MEP Reinhard Butikofer
While each event focuses on specific topics, we encourage our speakers to stress the crucial role the U.S. and EU have in building and sustaining international coalitions that keep democracy relevant.
The audience for the One Atlantic series is the private sector, Hill staff, diplomats, and others in the U.S. and EU governments.
British American Parliamentarian Group
The British American Parliamentary Group (BAPG) International Visitor Leadership Program is a high profile exchange that takes place annually and has been administered by Meridian International Center consistently over the past 10 years. In partnership with the Department of State, British parliamentarians (MP) are welcomed to the U.S. to take part in an intensive ten day exchange that includes Congressional appointments in Washington, several days of shadowing a Member of Congress in their home district, and a closing session in Boston that ties all of their experiences together while learning about the functions of the local and state government. These exchanges seek primarily to strengthen U.S.-U.K. relations and educate parliamentarians on the U.S. federalist system of government; in addition, the program offers the opportunity for participants to examine the role of non-governmental players in the formation of domestic and foreign policy.