Energizing Europe: The unintentional American enforcement of European unity by the anti-Siberian pipeline embargoes of 1982/83

    Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Academic

    Description

    This paper focuses on differences in the American and European perceptions (EEC) of the transatlantic relationship. In the beginning of the 1980s, the American response to Euro-Soviet contracts on the construction of the Siberian gas pipeline inflamed a diplomatic conflict between Reagan and European heads of state and government. The American president emphasised their mutual political and economic interests while facing the Soviet Union. In general, the recognition of a common enemy is fundamental for the building of a common identity. But paradoxically, instead of following the American lead, the EEC member states reacted in a unified manner by emphasising their uniformity and by encouraging a supranational response to the US government. This signified an important step in the development of a European political cooperation of the EEC member states.
    Period9 Nov 2017
    Event titleConstructing America | Defining Europe: Perceptions of the Transatlantic Other, 1900-2000
    Event typeConference
    LocationUtrecht, NetherlandsShow on map
    Degree of RecognitionInternational