The presidency of Joe Biden will almost certainly improve transatlantic ties overnight, says Mai’a Cross, the Edward W. Brooke professor of political science and international affairs at Northeastern.
The president-elect is expected to push on repairing severed alliances, says Cross, who studies international cooperation, especially in the areas of European foreign and security policy. In Europe, she says, that could restore the United State’s reputation as a globally oriented superpower that values allies—and condemns authoritarian leaders who seek to undermine international norms.
“The European Union will look to rapidly re-build the transatlantic alliance given that this has always been the most important relationship for them,” says Cross.
Biden is expected to restore and repair all of the nation’s memberships in international organizations, Cross says. He has signaled a commitment to immediately rejoin the Paris climate agreement. He could reverse Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization.
