In a recent Europe on the Move segment hosted by James Bays, our experts discussed the impact of this new European lobbying in the context of the Trump administration. Mark Storella, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy at Boston University and former U.S. Ambassador, added to the conversation. He was accompanied by Jessica Berlin, Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, and Eldar Mamedov, Non-resident Fellow at the Quincy Institute and former Latvian diplomat.
In that regard, the discussion dug into whether European attempts to reset relations with the Trump administration were an act of strength or weakness. Storella did a great job communicating his long experience in the field of diplomacy. He specifically referenced his last posting as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels. He highlighted that direct engagement with U.S. leadership is crucial but questioned the effectiveness of such strategies amid shifting political landscapes.
Jessica Berlin shared a peek behind the curtain of her work as the founder of strategy consultancy CoStruct, based in Berlin. She quipped that in dealing with their own bilateral relationships with the U.S. during Trump’s presidency, European nations were dealt a tough hand. Berlin contended that Europe’s diplomatic efforts are initially unimpressive. Sometimes they may instead indicate a smart, pragmatic plan for guarding national interests in unpredictable times.
Eldar Mamedov, a former EU diplomat with experience in Washington, DC and Madrid, stressed the importance of dialogue. He used his distinct perspective to illuminate the ways that difficult conversations lead to common understanding. He noted that engaging with American policymakers is essential for European countries to influence key issues such as trade, security, and climate change. Mamedov urged against looking at these lobbying efforts only from the perspective of power relations.
All panelists lamented the atmosphere of diplomacy and said it has changed dramatically in recent years. As Storella noted, such traditional diplomatic norms have all but fallen by the wayside, forcing European leaders to change tactics and restrict access as a result. Berlin highlighted the importance of ongoing engagement. An equal amount of effort should go into Europe prioritizing its own interests in negotiations with the U.S.
During the entire discussion, the experts were aware of the complicated nuances of transatlantic relations today. At their best, the administration’s efforts recognize the value of an approach that ties together collaboration and independent action. The knowledge transferred through this workshop provided an important perspective on where European diplomacy stands today. They did tell how it connects to the Trump administration in a detailed, significant manner.
