On 20 November 2024, BritCham EU’s Defence & Security Committee hosted a closed-door roundtable discussion in collaboration with Clover Group. The speakers, Paul Lavery (Global CEO of Clover Group) and Florian Gleissner (Chair of AmCham EU’s Security, Defence and Space Committee and Director of EU Government Affairs at Boeing), engaged in a thought-provoking conversation about the future of transatlantic defence links in the second Trump administration.
During the roundtable, the possible implications of projected policy changes in the US for EU and UK industry were discussed. The conversation specifically focussed on new opportunities for growth in EU-UK-US relations, as well as on foreseeable challenges for EU-UK supply chains and the future of NATO cooperation.
The prospect of Trump’s incoming second term poses new and pressing questions about Europe’s strategic autonomy. Trump’s critical stance toward international order has European businesses concerned about what his presidency could mean for their development and cooperation. Given the risk of a potentially less reliable US partner, it is necessary for European businesses to think about taking measures to boost their own competitiveness. This could bring new opportunities for closer cooperation between the EU and the UK, especially by working together to make supply chains more resilient and effectively supplying Ukraine with the materials for its own defence.
From the left Philippe Lefevre, Florian Gleissner, Paul Lavery, Peter Bell
A second Trump Presidency would test the strength of international agreements and organisations. While uncertainties about the future remain, it is worth noting that both the EU and the UK have previously overcome the challenges posed by Trump's administration and are likely to adapt and endure once again.
Thank you to Clover Group for sponsoring this event and to our speakers for fostering a very engaging discussion.
