Joe Biden’s first European visit as President of the United States took place from June 10 to 16, 2021. During the seven-day tour, the 46th U.S. president conducted an intensive, substantial, and demanding schedule. He held talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, participated in the G7 summit in Cornwall, and attended the NATO summit in Brussels. While in the Belgian capital, he also met with leaders of the European Union, and finally concluded his tour with a meeting in Geneva with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This presidential visit occurred at a time when it had become increasingly evident that the international system had entered a post-hegemonic era—when tensions in U.S.–Europe relations had grown significantly, mutual mistrust defined the transatlantic relationship, and both the United States and Europe were grappling with internal divisions and the most severe public health crisis in a century.
Joe Biden’s European tour was therefore preceded and accompanied by heightened media and expert attention. In this analysis, we aim to assess and interpret the outcomes of the U.S. president’s visit to Europe.
