Strengthening Old Ties and Creating New Ones
In order to speak to our American partners in person after innumerable video conferences and to lay the groundwork for our New Bridge Program (read more about it here), last week, Atlantik-Brücke Chairman Sigmar Gabriel and Executive Director David Deißner travelled to Washington, DC. Atlantik-Brücke is grateful that an exemption to enter the USA was granted for this purpose.
The visit started with a dinner with senior journalists and political representatives at the invitation of Atlantik-Brücke board member Michael Werz, where current political developments in the US and Europe were discussed. The conversation focused in particular on the question of how transatlantic cooperation in the area of climate and energy policy can be strengthened. In addition to the issue of carbon taxation, it was debated how global financial instruments and investment strategies can help to quickly achieve the ambitious climate targets that the USA and Europe have set for themselves.
Sigmar Gabriel, board member Michael Werz, and David Deißner also met with Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX), a member of the New Bridge advisory board, and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) to discuss ways to promote diversity in foreign policy exchange. New Bridge’s kick-off meeting with partner organizations provided additional impulses on how to include minority voices in the transatlantic dialogue.
A luncheon at the residency of German Ambassador Dr. Emily Haber in cooperation with the American Council on Germany was dedicated to discussing current challenges in transatlantic cooperation and in particular the question of a transatlantic strategy vis-à-vis China.
Transatlantic challenges and joint strategies, in particular when it comes to China, Russia, and the Middle East, were also topics during high-level meetings at the US Department of State. Atlantik-Brücke’s aim of diversifying and renewing US-European relations in order to include new groups that have not previously been involved in transatlantic dialogue were received with great appreciation.
At the National Security Council, meetings with Senior Directors provided further insights into the administration’s transatlantic economic and foreign policy agenda, among them the US-EU Trade and Technology Council. Focus topics of the conversation included the transatlantic regulatory framework for data transfer, cyber risk mitigation, and ways to work together to preserve election integrity.
A rooftop reception with Young Leader Alumni from both Atlantik-Brücke and the American Council on Germany rounded off the trip.