Transatlantic cooperation and the digital economy: The impact of the new strategic agenda “a Europe fit for the digital age”

The history of the transatlantic relationship between Europe and the United States can be traced back to 1945. The end of World War II marks the beginning of a globally influential relationship. However, this relationship has also been characterized by an amplitude of tensions. More specifically, these tensions are deeply engrained in the overall structure of the partnership. The US played a significant role in rebuilding Europe after the war. Not only did the US support European economic advancement but also European integration. Over the course of the next few decades, the relationship changed. Guided by US hegemony, Europe became increasingly more integrated and more connected. The transatlantic relationship changed from a relationship between the US and Europe to a relationship with a supranational organization. Despite the bumpy overall structure of the relationship, the United States and the European Union created a valuable partnership. It blossomed through cooperation in terms of security and economics. The transatlantic partners became deeply entangled and managed to grow their global influence through cooperation. Recent developments relating to shifting geopolitics and the emergence of China challenge the transatlantic relationship. Additionally, the rise of the digital economy makes traditional cooperation efforts more complex. The European Union’s proposal of a new strategic agenda addresses the challenges of today’s world and seeks to enable the EU to become a valuable player internationally. This thesis investigates the impact of the new strategic agenda on transatlantic cooperation by analyzing its ability to redefine and strengthen the relationship between the United States and Europe. I argue that the digital economy is a key point in the current relationship, and that stronger cooperation in this policy area will allow the transatlantic partners to reclaim their global leadership position while addressing the rapid rise of China in the global economy.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

European Union Studies

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2020

Author dc:creator

• Loidl, Viktoria

Contributors dc:contributor

• Larson, Jonathan
• Henry, Lucas

• Transatlantic Relations
• Digital Economy
• A Europe Fit For the Digital Age
• Strategic Agenda
• Cooperation
• Transatlantic Cooperation
• European Union
• China
• Geopolitics
• Global Leadership
• Von der Leyen
• United States
• EU
• US hegemony

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2020 Viktoria Loidl

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/108529

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/108529