The Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) is pleased to present the first episode of Behind the Paper, its new podcast that brings you into the heart of IAI wide-ranging analysis on foreign policy and global affairs. This episode explores the main challenges and opportunities for cooperation between the United States and the European Union in a rapidly evolving and fragmented international landscape. This discussion is based on the recent IAI Research Study Navigating New Geostrategic Challenges: EU–US Cooperation and Italy’s Role, edited by Federica Marconi, who also hosts this episode.  

Amidst increasing geo-economic rivalry and great power competition, the intertwining of economic interests with geopolitical ambitions has led to a growing reliance on trade and investment as strategic tools in the competition between major powers and in the pursuit of geopolitical objectives. In light of these developments, the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) have explored new strategies in their respective trade and investment policies, but also worked together to establish closer, often unprecedented, forms of bilateral cooperation. This episode unpacks the key findings of the study, examining how the EU can strengthen transatlantic cooperation in a strategic dialogue in response to the reconfiguration of economic relations and to the growing weaponization of finance and trade. Federica Marconi guides listeners through the core themes of industrial policy, control of foreign direct investment, export control of dual-use technologies and materials, and restrictive measures and sanction. Special attention is given to Italy’s role and positioning within the wider geopolitical landscape and its transatlantic ties, advancing a coherent and effective European response to these multifaceted challenges.