New stimulus or integration backlash?

The paper addresses the uncertain future of transatlantic relations in light of the EU enlargement on 1 May 2004. Although it is clear that the US supports an ever wider EU, and the stability and security it implies for Europe and the countries on its periphery, it is not so clear that the US supports a deeper, stronger EU that could challenge US pre-eminence. One of the key issues debated is whether the newly-admitted (and typically pro-Atlanticist) Central and Eastern European countries will help bring the EU and the US closer together or create a rift within the EU as "old Europe" and "new Europe" quarrel over foreign and security policies. In these very early stages of the EU-25 it is very difficult to make any firm predictions regarding the impact of the enlarged EU on transatlantic relations.