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RELATIONS WITH THE EU

The European Union and the United States

A strong EU-U.S. partnership is crucial to building a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world.

The EU-U.S. partnership has prospered for more than six decades, constructed on a foundation of shared common values, including a commitment to the rule of law, the democratic process, free enterprise, human rights, and alleviating poverty. These values, combined with our deep economic ties and high levels of trust built over more than half a century, make the EU and the United States natural partners for tackling today’s global challenges. View a helpful fact sheet here.

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Shared Values, Peace, and Stability

The EU and the United States share a global responsibility to promote common values, including democracy, peace, freedom, and the rule of law; support and protect human rights around the world; create conditions for harmonious economic development worldwide; strengthen the rules-based international system, and improve the economies of developing countries and those in transition. The United States is the EU’s foremost strategic partner in promoting peace and stability around the world. Together, we are the two largest donors of humanitarian aid and development assistance worldwide. Every day, we work together to confront global security challenges like terrorism, violent extremism, nuclear weapons proliferation, and transnational crime. The EU and United States have growing security and defense ties, with close military-to-military cooperation, notably in Europe, Africa, and the Indo Pacific. We also work closely on non-proliferation and disarmament, as well as on cyber issues.

Deep Economic Ties

The EU-U.S. economic partnership is the single-most important driver of global economic growth, trade, and prosperity. Taken together, the economies of both territories constitute close to one third of world GDP in terms of purchasing power. The EU and United States are each other’s main trading partners and account for the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world. We are each other’s largest investors and investment markets of first choice. Bilateral trade and investment directly supports around 9.4 million jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

  • More about the EU-U.S. trade and investment relationship
  • The EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council (TTC) serves as a forum to coordinate approaches to key global trade, economic, and technology issues, and to deepen transatlantic trade and economic relations based on shared democratic values. Additional information and ways to participate can be found on Futurium.
  • Access2Markets is the portal for EU exporters and importers to find detailed information on tariffs, rules of origin, taxes and additional duties, import procedures, and formalities
  • The Single Entry Point (SEP) is the first point of contact for all EU stakeholders who are facing market access issues in third countries or who find non-compliance with sustainability commitments (TSD/GSP).

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Climate, Energy, and Connectivity

The EU and United States stand together for sustainable and trusted connections that work for people and the planet to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from climate change and protecting the environment to improving health security and boosting competitiveness and global supply chains. Through obligation to the Paris Agreement, open diplomatic channels, and a commitment to science, the EU and United States agree on the need for open, transparent, competitive, and sustainable solutions for a greener future. We also work together in the fields of science, technology, and research for the benefit of the academic, business, and civil society communities on both sides of the Atlantic. The EU-U.S. Energy Council is the lead transatlantic coordination forum on strategic energy issues, meeting yearly to deepen the dialogue on energy security, technology, and markets.