One Atlantic series: Exploring the Future of the Transatlantic Partnership

On July 19, 2021, the Meridian Corporate Council in collaboration with 3M and the European Parliament Liaison Office (EPLO) in D.C. hosted a luncheon discussion with Chairman Radek Sikorski and Vice Chairman Nicolae Ștefănuță of the European Parliament’s Delegation to the United States. This discussion was moderated by Ms. Natalie Jones, Senior Vice President – External Affairs & Diplomatic Engagement at Meridian and hosted at 3M’s Innovation Center. The discussion was centered on the rise of China and its effects on the future of the transatlantic relationship.  

Radek Sikorski is a Member of the European Parliament representing his native Kuyavian- Pomeranian region. He is a current member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age (AIDA) and the Subcommittee on Security and Defense (SEDE) and chairs the Delegation for Relations with the United States.  

Nicolae Ștefănuță is a Romanian member of the European Parliament representing the Uniunea Salvați România part of the Renew Europe Group. He is a full member of the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the Special Committee on Beating Cancer. He is also a Vice-President of the Delegation for Relations with the United States and a Substitute member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.  

Throughout the discussion, Chairman Sikorski and Vice Chairman Ștefănuță discussed the importance of rebuilding the U.S.-E.U. relationship under the Biden Administration to combat shared challenges including the climate crisis and the global rise of China. Chairman Sikorski emphasized the necessity for transatlantic economic competition with China through the U.S.-E.U. Trade and Technology Council and the avoidance of military aggression to preserve E.U. economic interests in East Asia.