Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

A high-level delegation from the Socialists and Democrats Alliance in the European Parliament, led by Kathleen Van Brympett and including Christel Chaldemmus, Bernd Lange, Lina Gálvez, and Brando Benevé, will travel to Washington, D.C., from July 20 to 23 to participate in Transatlantic Relations Week 2026, according to a statement issued by the Socialists and Democrats group, the second-largest political group in the European Union's highest legislative body. This came hours after an article published by Playbook, the European edition of Politico, which stated that almost a year after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump signed a trade truce in Scotland, many of their key promises—from energy purchases to regulatory cooperation—have become more difficult to fulfill.

Transatlantic relations are among Europe's deepest and most important partnerships. Built over generations, they remain fundamental to Europe, but they can no longer be taken for granted. In the face of profound global changes, Transatlantic Relations Week offers a crucial opportunity to strengthen dialogue with our American counterparts and exchange views on the shared challenges shaping our future, from digital transformation and economic resilience to geopolitical stability. According to a statement from the Socialists and Democrats Group, a strong partnership must be based on mutual respect, not political pressure, economic coercion, or the expectation that Europe will simply follow Washington's lead. Where our interests and values ​​converge, the EU and the US should work together to defend democracy, promote workers' rights, accelerate the green and digital transition, and establish fair rules for the global economy. But partnership does not mean subservience. Europe must speak and act with confidence, strengthen its strategic autonomy, and defend its citizens, workers, and industries whenever its interests are threatened.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Socialists and Democrats Group will co-host the networking event "A Transatlantic Digital Agenda Serving People" with the Center for American Progress. The event will focus on digital transformation, underscoring our responsibility and commitment to leading toward a fair and democratic digital model that serves the people. In Washington, D.C., the Socialist and Democratic delegation will also meet with representatives from both the Democratic and Republican parties, labor unions, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders. We believe that constructive dialogue is the foundation of progress, and we seek to build strong partnerships based on mutual respect, even when our perspectives differ.

Our goal is not a return to the transatlantic relationship of the past, but rather to build a more balanced and robust partnership for the future. Together, we must continue to raise social standards, support a just and ambitious green transition, and ensure that economic cooperation brings prosperity to both sides of the Atlantic.