The transatlantic relations in for a rough ride – so are workers’ agendas set for a zero-sum game?

On the 11th of December 2024, FES Just Climate and FES Future of Work organised a joint conference in Brussels, capturing a range of topics crucial for upcoming years - the importance of the transatlantic relationship and safeguarding the worker’s rights in the challenging economic era of competition and productivity. 

Europe’s future competitiveness and global leadership will depend on its ability to excel in clean technologies and digital industries. As China intensifies its challenge to industrialized nations, Europe is focused on preserving its position, though the pressure on business hubs, jobs, and technological innovation is already evident. The looming possibility of a second Trump term further complicates the situation, with the threat of trade wars and geo-economic instability. In this context, Europe must safeguard its interests and navigate the complex dynamics between China and the United States to secure its long-term prosperity.

On the one hand, Knut Dethlefsen, emphasized the European Union's critical role in upholding democratic principles on a global scale, by  exploring the profound long-term consequences of Donald Trump’s election as the 47th President of the United States. Trump’s leadership reflects a deeply divided American society, as his disruptive approach taps into public frustrations but risks exacerbating social divisions. Moreover, his victory highlights a decades-long decline in trust toward institutions, exposing systemic shortcomings in addressing inequality and widespread disillusionment. On the global stage, this shift signals a more transactional U.S. foreign policy, posing challenges to multilateral cooperation and pressing Europe and its allies to maintain unity.

On the other hand,  Claudia Detsch, argued that Europe needs  a robust, forward-looking strategy to secure economic and geopolitical relevance.  Europe must prioritize clean technologies and digital industries to remain competitive. With challenges such as reliance on U.S. LNG and pressures from a potential second Trump administration to align against China, Europe finds itself in a delicate position, especially given its dependence on Chinese raw materials. Detsch calls for unity, ambition, and strategic use of Europe’s internal market to strengthen its industrial and trade policies and counterbalance the growing influence of both China and the U.S.

During the conference, Reiner Hoffmann, Vice-President of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, highlighted that we're facing the biggest transformation since the industrial revolution. even if there is no doubt that Europe is heading in the right direction enhancing the competitiveness and accelerating the transition to climate neutrality.  In the panel discussion, consisting of Sebastian Dullien, Heather Hurlburt, Bernd Lange, Esther Lynch, and Todd N. Tucker various perspectives were shared.

The key takeaways to consider:

- Defining what competitiveness means without compromising the worker’s rights
- Clarifying the outlook of a new economic policy
- Working towards common industrial policy in Europe
- Strengthening the relationship between transatlantic progressives