What were the political circumstances surrounding the summit?

The U.S. and EU leaders met for the last time in 2017. Since then, tensions in mutual relations have intensified. President Donald Trump abandoned the negotiations of the TTIP agreement and introduced tariffs on steel and aluminium, which affected, among others, EU countries (which responded with retaliatory tariffs). During Trump’s presidency, the U.S. did not treat the EU as a partner, so Biden’s victory was perceived as an opportunity to renew cooperation. The organisation of the summit at the beginning of his term in office represented a symbolic change from Trump’s policy and signalled the need for deeper coordination of U.S. policy with the EU and its involvement in key initiatives, including the intensifying competition with China, combating climate change, and countering the COVID-19 pandemic. The Union hopes to use the favourable political atmosphere to resolve existing disputes and reduce the risk of new ones arising, for example, in connection with the introduction of a digital tax or the pursuit of greater economic autonomy.

What arrangements were made in economic relations?

Trade representatives negotiated a five-year suspension of tariffs over subsidies for Airbus and Boeing. To emphasise the EU’s goal of a level playing field, the agreement gives the U.S. the possibility of introducing retaliatory tariffs in cases where U.S. companies would be impeded from accessing the Union’s market. The subsidies dispute has had an impact on U.S.-EU relations since 2004, and its resolution is perceived as an expression of the determination to cooperate and focus on common challenges. However, Biden did not similarly address the issue of tariffs on steel and aluminium, as EU leaders had hoped. Beyond those issues, it was announced at the summit that a U.S.-EU high-level Trade and Technology Council (TTC) would be established with the aim of developing trade and investment relations, resolving rising disputes, and strengthening cooperation in the field of modern technologies and the digital sector.

What else was agreed at the summit?

In addition to issues related to economic relations, the U.S. and the EU committed to working together to combat the pandemic and prevent future epidemics. They expressed support for the COVAX initiative, set up a dedicated task force for vaccine production and supply, and renewed calls for reform of the WHO. The need to engage in the global post-pandemic recovery (through the “Build Back Better World” plan presented at the G7 summit) was also highlighted. They also presented their readiness to pursue coordinated climate policy in line with the arrangements of the Leaders Summit on Climate. Moreover, they undertook to promote democratic values and international peace and respect for international law and human rights in order to limit the influence of authoritarian states.

What are the prospects for U.S.-EU policy coordination towards China and Russia?

Under the agreement on Airbus and Boeing, the U.S. and the EU undertook to counter Chinese investments in the aviation industry sector. In addition, one of the goals of establishing the TTC is to develop a joint action plan with the clear aim of strengthening U.S.-EU cooperation and reducing dependence on China in the areas of digitisation, telecommunications, supply chains and advanced technologies. Both sides also declared they would coordinate actions related to human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet, violations of the autonomy of Hong Kong and Taiwan, and China’s activity in the East and South China seas.

In addition, the U.S. and the EU announced the establishment of a high-level dialogue to coordinate policy towards Russia as a response to its ongoing violations of human rights, restrictions on media freedom, interference with the sovereignty of Georgia and Ukraine, and hostile actions in cyberspace.

What is the significance of the summit for Poland?

The summit’s conclusions confirm the improvement of relations between the U.S. and the EU, which will positively affect the mutual investment atmosphere and deepen economic cooperation, also in bilateral relations between the Member States and the U.S. The announcement of closer cooperation in promoting low-carbon economies as well as the development and implementation of green technologies may offer Poland an opening to promote the Three Seas Initiative as a grouping for coordinated EU and U.S. investments. The overall improvement of transatlantic relations will also facilitate the strengthening of global and Euro-Atlantic security based on coordinated action between Europe and the U.S., as well as NATO and the EU.

Also from Poland’s perspective, it is important that EU and the U.S. drew attention to Russia’s illegal activities, as they threaten EU countries, and the declaration about the coordination of actions aimed at countering Russia’s aggressive policy. On other issues, such as support for reforms in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, the peace process in the Caucasus, or support for opponents of the Lukashenka regime in Belarus, Poland will have the opportunity to present its own perspective on the situation in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood and impact joint EU-U.S. actions in this regard.