In our hands: Progressive ideas for a renewed and repurposed Trans-Atlantic bond

The report “In Our Hands: Progressive Ideas for a Renewed and Repurposed Trans-Atlantic Bond” by […]

Policy Study

22/01/2021

The report “In Our Hands: Progressive Ideas for a Renewed and Repurposed Trans-Atlantic Bond” by the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and the Center for American Progress (CAP) urges Europe and the United States to renew the foundation of their historic trans-Atlantic bond, repairing the damage caused after four years of outright hostility and neglect.

As Vassilis Ntousas and James Lamond, the report’s authors, underline: “To effectively relaunch and renew the trans-Atlantic bond, both the United States and Europe must make a comprehensive commitment to progressive values. The success of this effort will depend on both sides of the Atlantic using this unique opportunity to reimagine their relationship, and not simply renew existing commitments.”


The report, which is the outcome of the inaugural FEPS-CAP transatlantic dialogue that took place over the course of the past two years, highlights four key areas that demand urgent attention and recommends that both partners:

  • Foster an inclusive growth agenda that takes aim at inequality by finally addressing both its symptoms and its root causes.
  • Deepen the shared commitment to free, open, and just societies by strengthening the democratic core of American and European communities and tackling the underlying problems that make both systems susceptible to illiberal strains.
  • Thwart digital authoritarianism by increasing the accountability and transparency of digital practices and actors while strengthening the safeguards against efforts to weaponize (dis)information.
  • Adopt a new joint strategic global vision. This presupposes the emergence of a new rapprochement in foreign, security, and defense terms, as well and a common outlook that tackles in a balanced way the challenges ahead.

Read the report: “In Our Hands: Progressive Ideas for a Renewed and Repurposed Trans-Atlantic Bond,” by Vassilis Ntousas and James Lamond.

Read the report

Network
Center for American Progress
Find all related publications
Publications
23/06/2025

Europe’s strategic role in global development

A call for ambition and reform
22/04/2025

Trade, trust, and transition: Shaping the next transatlantic chapter

Essays series by FEPS and Center for American Progress (CAP)
12/12/2024

The Politics of Polycrisis

Drawing on insights from key contributors from the EU and the UK, the book “The […]
09/12/2024

China: Dangerous rival or cooperation partner?

How can EU-China relations develop in a changing world with geopolitical conflicts?
Find all related Progressive Post
Progressive Post
26/06/2025

BRICS 2025: Brazil’s balancing act

Brazil will host the BRICS+ summit in July this year, marking 16 years since the […]
26/06/2025

Engaging the BRICS: a view from the Global South

The relationship between the Global South and the BRICS is often viewed as complementary, rooted […]
Find all related events
Events
Past
01/07/2025
Brussels, Belgium (Expert meeting)

Progressive Pollsters Network

This invitation-only seminar, convened under the auspices of the Next Left Research Programme by the […]
02/07/2025
Brussels, Belgium (Expert meeting)

Preparing for the next European Elections

Role of Europarties & electoral law reform
05/05/2025
Online

Connecting the dots: Discussion on the findings of the Social Democracy with(out) the people

In aftermath of recent Presidential elections in Poland
Find all related news
News
15/01/2025

Launch of the new Open Progressive University’s Ukraine programme!

We have launched the new programme ‘Progressive Ukraine’ in collaboration with S&D Group as part […]
03/12/2024

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues at the 2024 Understanding China Conference

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues participated in the 2024 Understanding China Conference, “Carry through the […]
15/05/2024

Notice of vacancy – Policy analyst on international relations

This vacancy is now closed.
04/03/2024

FEPS at the PES Election Congress in Rome

A FEPS delegation travelled to Rome last week to participate in the Election Congress of […]
Find all related in the media
In the media

Durchhalten ist nicht unmöglich

by Frankfurter Hefte 06/12/2023
'Persevering is not impossible' Article by Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training, on the future of social democracy in Europe

Une réforme de l’UE qui intéressera forcément les Suisses

by Le Temps 24/11/2023
'EU reform bound to be of interest to the Swiss', an opinion piece in Le Temps on EU Treaties changes by Maria João Rodrigues, FEPS President, Guillaume Klossa, Director of think tank EuropaNova and Daniela Schwarzer, Executive board member Bertelsmann Stiftung

« Le moment est venu de lancer un débat sur la réforme de l’Union européenne »

by Le Monde 22/11/2023
'The time has come to launch a debate on the reform of the European Union', an opinion piece in Le Monde on Eu Treaties changes by Maria João Rodrigues, FEPS President, Guillaume Klossa, Director of think tank EuropaNova and Daniela Schwarzer, Executive board member Bertelsmann Stiftung

Polacy nieufni i “wyjątkowi” – “popandemiczne” badanie w UE

by TOK FM 22/05/2023
'Poles distrustful and "exceptional" - "post-pandemic" survey in the EU' TOK FM. Interview with Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training, about the results of FEPS' European survey in six EU countries and the 'uniqueness' of the responses of the Polish people.