Real Clear World
The Transatlantic Alliance Is More Needed Than Ever
.By Randi Charno Levine
The Transatlantic Alliance Is More Needed Than Ever
By Randi Charno Levine
As the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly meets to grapple with global challenges, the enduring U.S.-European transatlantic alliance remains a powerful and important model for promoting peace, freedom, and human rights. At the same time, the U.S. government is asking hard questions about the alliance and the responsibilities of member states.
It’s important to remember that this bond, forged under fire and built on mutual interests, is one of the greatest achievements in global history, worthy of protecting and strengthening. After World War II, much of Europe was in ruins. As battered troops returned home, the last thing Americans wanted was to help rebuild Europe. But President Harry S. Truman and bipartisan leaders understood that suppressing Europe after World War I led to widespread poverty and resentment, the rise of fascist dictators, and a second World War.
Truman turned to Secretary of State George C. Marshall, an architect of the Allied victory and the U.S. Army's top general, to quickly develop and promote his European Recovery Plan to Congress and the American people. The Marshall Plan aimed to invest—not donate—billions of dollars to help Europe's defeated countries, industries, economies, and people. The Marshall Plan was a tough sell. But it succeeded.
As America works toward a new, balanced relationship with Europe, the focus should include strengthening bilateral relationships – including with Portugal, where I served as U.S. Ambassador from 2022 to 2025. When multilateral relationships are being challenged, perhaps this is an opportunity for bilateral relationships to strengthen and thrive.
The strong foundation of the U.S.-Portugal relationship dates back to 1791, when Portugal became the first neutral nation to recognize the U.S. Then Ambassador Frank Carlucci played a pivotal role encouraging Portugal to embrace democracy as the 1974 Carnation Revolution overthrew four decades of dictatorship.
Portugal proudly declares itself an Atlanticist country whose back is to Europe but whose face is towards America. Portugal’s geographic position as America’s closest European ally makes it an integral part of the discussion on issues like the Blue Economy, undersea cables for data transmission, and defense and security in the Portuguese economic zone, which covers a large part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Like so many of our European allies, Portugal has integrated its economic growth and trade goals in alignment with U.S. partnerships. During my tenure, the U.S. became Portugal’s largest trading partner outside the E.U. Overall trade and investment quadrupled. Portugal is working to balance the trade deficit by attracting U.S. investment through grants, tax credits, and lines of credit. Portugal’s growing, business-friendly economy, skilled workforce, expanding tech sector and entrepreneurial spirit has attracted the U.S. as the country’s top foreign advisor.
At a time when traditional alliances are being challenged and reformulated, the U.S. must examine how its allies can help us on a global stage. A country like Portugal, with its close relationship to Lusophone Africa and their wealth of critical minerals and resources, can help the U.S. bridge the communication gaps and gain strength against the Russian and Chinese presence in Africa.
Regardless of trade policy, America’s ability to maintain people-to-people ties with its allies can certainly benefit from cultural diplomacy, which strengthens personal ties through universal connections such as art, music, and the economy. This fosters trust, promotes dialogue, and extends U.S. influence in ways that traditional diplomacy cannot.
Portugal is not alone amongst European nations that are eager to retain close ties with America. The U.S. is still the world’s most powerful nation. European leaders continue to make trips across the Atlantic to ensure that their alliance with the U.S. remains strong. Our allies know that a peaceful world is dependent upon the coordination and cooperation of Western democracies. Each country has its own strengths and valuable partnership to offer, aside from the umbrella of the E.U. relationship.
Harsh words undoubtedly will be spoken by many heads of state in New York during the United Nations’ annual gathering. But beneath that rhetoric is the solid foundation of the transatlantic alliance. As the U.S. navigates an increasingly fragmented world, it’s essential to cherish America’s closest allies across the Atlantic, strengthen their bonds, and never take them for granted.
Randi Charno Levine is an author, arts advocate, and philanthropist who served as U.S. Ambassador to Portugal from 2022 to 2025.
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