Transatlantic ties are topsy-turvy under Biden

THE English term ‘topsy-turvy’, coming from the phrase ‘upside down’, is a potentially apt description of Europe’s relations with the United States under the Biden administration, as Washington and Brussels prepare for a summit this Friday (Oct 20).

To be sure, transatlantic ties with the US have improved dramatically, overall, since the end of the Trump presidency with significant cooperation, for instance on defence and security issues, such as the Ukraine war.

However, there have been significant tensions in some policy areas, including over the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).