{ "id": "R44249", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "R44249", "active": true, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 588149, "date": "2018-12-03", "retrieved": "2019-12-20T20:27:06.029103", "title": "The European Union: Ongoing Challenges and Future Prospects", "summary": "The European Union (EU) is a unique partnership in which member states have pooled sovereignty in certain policy areas and harmonized laws on a wide range of economic and political issues. The EU is the latest stage in a process of European integration begun after World War II, initially by six Western European countries, to promote peace, security, and economic development. The EU currently consists of 28 member states, including most of the formerly communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.\nThe EU is largely viewed as a cornerstone of European stability and prosperity. For much of the last decade, however, many EU countries have faced considerable economic difficulties. Despite an improved economic situation in the EU since 2017, economic pressures and societal changes have contributed to the rise of populist and antiestablishment political parties, at least some of which harbor anti-EU or \u201ceuroskeptic\u201d sentiments. Such trends have complicated the EU\u2019s ability to deal with multiple internal and external challenges. Among the most prominent challenges are\nthe pending departure of the United Kingdom (UK) from the EU (\u201cBrexit\u201d);\ndemocracy and rule-of-law concerns in Poland, Hungary, and other EU members;\nmigration and related societal integration concerns; \na resurgent Russia; and\na heightened terrorism threat.\nAmid these difficult issues, some are questioning the future shape and character of the EU. Supporters of the EU worry that certain aspects of EU integration could be stopped or reversed. Others contend that the multiple crises could produce some beneficial reforms and ultimately transform the EU into a more effective, cohesive entity. Recently, considerable attention has focused on developing a \u201cmultispeed EU,\u201d in which some EU members could pursue greater integration in specified areas while others could opt out.\nSuccessive U.S. Administrations and many Members of Congress have supported the European integration project since its inception, viewing it as crucial to European peace and security and as a way to foster strong U.S. allies and trading partners. Despite some tensions over the years, the United States and the EU share a dynamic political partnership on various foreign policy issues and an extensive trade and investment relationship. How the EU evolves in the years ahead may have strategic and economic repercussions for the United States. \nAt the same time, some EU leaders are concerned about President Trump\u2019s apparent skepticism of the EU and his reported assessment of the bloc as an economic competitor. Those of this view also worry that elements of the Trump Administration\u2019s \u201cAmerica First\u201d foreign policy\u2014such as the U.S. decision to withdraw from the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal with Iran\u2014pit the United States against the EU. A number of European officials and analysts question whether traditional U.S. support for close U.S.-EU relations may be shifting and whether the United States will remain a reliable international partner. Some observers suggest that managing relations with the United States under the Trump Administration has emerged as another, somewhat unexpected, challenge for the EU. At the same time, many in the EU hope to preserve close U.S.-EU ties and EU policymakers continue to seek to cooperate with the Trump Administration where possible on issues of common interest and concern.\nThis report provides a brief history of the EU and the major challenges confronting the bloc. It also discusses the potential implications for the EU and for U.S.-EU relations. 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The EU is the latest stage in a process of European integration begun after World War II, initially by six Western European countries, to promote peace, security, and economic development. The EU currently consists of 28 member states, including most of the formerly communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.\nThe EU is largely viewed as a cornerstone of European stability and prosperity. For much of the last decade, however, many EU countries have faced considerable economic difficulties. Despite an improved economic situation in the EU since 2017, economic pressures and societal changes have contributed to the rise of populist and antiestablishment political parties, at least some of which harbor anti-EU or \u201ceuroskeptic\u201d sentiments. Such trends have complicated the EU\u2019s ability to deal with multiple internal and external challenges. Among the most prominent challenges are\nthe pending departure of the United Kingdom (UK) from the EU (\u201cBrexit\u201d);\ndemocracy and rule-of-law concerns in Poland, Hungary, and other EU members;\nmigration and related societal integration concerns; \na resurgent Russia; and\na heightened terrorism threat.\nAmid these difficult issues, some are questioning the future shape and character of the EU are being. Supporters of the EU worry that some aspects of EU integration could be stopped or reversed. Others contend that the multiple crises could produce some beneficial reforms that ultimately would transform the EU into a more effective, cohesive entity. Recently, considerable attention has focused on developing a \u201cmultispeed EU,\u201d in which some EU members could pursue greater integration in specified areas and others could opt out.\nSuccessive U.S. Administrations and many Members of Congress long have supported the European integration project, viewing it as crucial to European peace and security and as a way to foster strong U.S. allies and trading partners. Despite some tensions over the years, the United States and the EU share a dynamic political partnership on various foreign policy issues and an extensive trade and investment relationship. How the EU evolves in the years ahead may have strategic and economic repercussions for the United States. \nAt the same time, some EU leaders are concerned about President Trump\u2019s apparent skepticism of the EU and his reported assessment of the bloc as an economic competitor. Those of this view also worry that elements of the Trump Administration\u2019s \u201cAmerica First\u201d foreign policy\u2014such as the U.S. decision to withdraw from the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal with Iran\u2014pit the United States against the EU. A number of European officials and analysts question whether traditional U.S. support for close U.S.-EU relations may be shifting and whether the United States will remain a reliable international partner. Some observers suggest that managing relations with the United States under the Trump Administration has emerged as another, somewhat unexpected, challenge for the EU. At the same time, many in the EU hope to preserve close U.S.-EU ties and EU policymakers continue to seek to cooperate with the Trump Administration where possible on issues of common interest and concern.\nThis report provides a brief history of the EU and the major challenges confronting the bloc. It also discusses the potential implications for the EU and for U.S.-EU relations. 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The EU is the latest stage in a process of European integration begun after World War II, initially by six Western European countries, to promote peace, security, and economic development. The EU currently consists of 28 member states, including the formerly communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.\nEU members share a customs union; a single market in which goods, services, people, and capital move freely (known as the \u201cfour freedoms\u201d); a common trade policy; a common agricultural policy; and a common currency (the euro), which is used by 19 member states (collectively referred to as the \u201ceurozone\u201d). Twenty-two EU members participate in the Schengen area of free movement, in which individuals may travel without passport checks. In addition, the EU has taken steps to develop common foreign and security policies, has sought to build common internal security measures, and remains committed to enlargement, especially to the countries of the Western Balkans.\nThe EU is largely viewed as a cornerstone of European stability and prosperity. Currently, however, the EU faces a range of political and economic pressures, including slow growth and persistently high unemployment in many EU countries, as well as the rise of populist political parties, at least some of which harbor anti-EU or \u201ceuroskeptic\u201d sentiments. Such factors are complicating the EU\u2019s ability to deal with a multitude of internal and external challenges. Among the most prominent are\nthe June 2016 vote in the United Kingdom (UK) in favor of leaving the EU;\nthe Greek debt crisis and lingering concerns about the eurozone;\nongoing migrant and refugee flows; \na resurgent Russia; and\na heightened terrorism threat.\nAmid these difficult issues, the future shape and character of the union are being increasingly questioned. Supporters of the European project worry that for the first time in its 60-year history, some aspects of integration could be stopped or reversed. Others contend that there is a chance that the multiple crises currently facing the EU could produce some beneficial EU reforms, encourage further political and economic integration, and ultimately transform the bloc into a more effective and cohesive entity.\nSuccessive U.S. Administrations and many Members of Congress have long supported the European integration project, viewing it as crucial to European peace and security and as a way to foster strong U.S. allies and trading partners. The United States and the EU share a dynamic political partnership on an array of foreign policy issues, and U.S.-EU trade and investment relations are extensive and mutually beneficial. How the EU evolves in the years ahead may have significant strategic and economic repercussions for the United States. At the same time, EU leaders are concerned about indications that the Trump Administration could diverge from traditionally held U.S. views on European integration and the U.S.-EU partnership.\nThis report provides a brief history of the EU and the major challenges currently confronting the EU as an institution. It also discusses the potential implications both for the EU itself and for U.S.-EU relations. 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The EU is the latest stage in a process of European integration begun after World War II, initially by six Western European countries, to promote peace, security, and economic development. Today, the EU currently consists of 28 member states, including the formerly communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.\nEU members share a customs union; a single market in which goods, services, people, and capital move freely (known as the \u201cfour freedoms\u201d); a common trade policy; a common agricultural policy; and a common currency (the euro), which is used by 19 member states (collectively referred to as the \u201ceurozone\u201d). Twenty-two EU members participate in the Schengen area of free movement, in which individuals may travel without passport checks. In addition, the EU has taken steps to develop common foreign and security policies, has sought to build common internal security measures, and remains committed to enlargement, especially to the countries of the Western Balkans.\nThe EU is largely viewed as a success story and as a cornerstone of European stability and prosperity. Currently, however, the EU faces a range of political and economic pressures, including slow growth and persistently high unemployment in many EU countries, as well as the rise of populist political parties, at least some of which harbor anti-EU or \u201ceuroskeptic\u201d sentiments (as well as anti-immigrant views). Such factors are complicating the EU\u2019s ability to deal with a multitude of internal and external challenges. Among the most prominent are\nthe June 2016 vote in the United Kingdom (UK) in favor of leaving the EU;\nthe Greek debt crisis and lingering concerns about the eurozone;\nthe migration and refugee crisis; \na resurgent Russia; and\na heightened terrorism threat.\nAlthough few analysts view a complete dissolution of the EU as likely, the future shape and character of the union are being increasingly questioned, especially in light of the UK\u2019s expected exit from the EU in the years ahead. Supporters of the European project worry that for the first time in its 60-year history, some aspects of EU integration could be stopped or reversed. Others contend that there is a chance that the multiple crises currently facing the EU could produce some beneficial EU reforms, encourage further political and economic integration, and ultimately transform the bloc into a more effective and cohesive entity.\nSuccessive U.S. Administrations and many Members of Congress have long supported the European integration project, viewing it as fostering democratic allies and strong trading partners in Europe. The United States and the EU share a dynamic political partnership on a wide range of foreign policy issues, and U.S.-EU trade and investment relations are close, extensive, and mutually beneficial. How the EU evolves in the years ahead may have significant strategic and economic repercussions for the United States.\nThis report provides a brief history of the EU and the major challenges currently confronting the EU as an institution. It also discusses the potential implications both for the EU itself and for U.S.-EU relations. For additional information on the EU, see CRS Report RS21372, The European Union: Questions and Answers, by Kristin Archick.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44249", "sha1": "48a3752a8b7fa1905bc252cfec0918c6ee104ab0", "filename": "files/20160920_R44249_48a3752a8b7fa1905bc252cfec0918c6ee104ab0.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44249", "sha1": "071cce97ca57da42ba0c08e472205ef2efa7e362", "filename": "files/20160920_R44249_071cce97ca57da42ba0c08e472205ef2efa7e362.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4786, "name": "Europe, Russia, & Eurasia" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 453551, "date": "2016-06-21", "retrieved": "2016-06-21T20:56:36.334819", "title": "The European Union: Current Challenges and Future Prospects", "summary": "The European Union (EU) is a unique partnership in which member states have pooled sovereignty in certain policy areas and harmonized laws on a wide range of economic, social, and political issues. The EU is the latest stage in a process of European integration begun after World War II, initially by six Western European countries, to promote peace, security, and economic development. Today, the EU is composed of 28 member states, including most of the formerly communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.\nEU members share a customs union, a single market (in which goods, people, and capital move freely), a common trade policy, a common agricultural policy, and a common currency (the euro) that is used by 19 member states (collectively referred to as \u201cthe Eurozone\u201d). Twenty-two EU members participate in the Schengen area of free movement, in which individuals may travel without passport checks. In addition, the EU has taken steps to develop common foreign and security policies, has sought to build common internal security measures, and remains committed to enlargement, especially to the countries of the Western Balkans.\nThe EU is largely viewed as a success story and as a cornerstone of European stability and prosperity. Currently, however, the EU faces a range of political and economic pressures, including slow growth and persistently high unemployment in many EU countries, as well as the rise of populist political parties, at least some of which harbor anti-EU or \u201ceuroskeptic\u201d sentiments (as well as anti-immigrant views). Such factors are complicating the EU\u2019s ability to deal with a multitude of internal and external challenges. Among the most prominent are\nThe Greek debt crisis;\nThe migration and refugee crisis; \nThe June 23, 2016, United Kingdom referendum on EU membership;\nA resurgent Russia; and\nA heightened terrorism threat.\nAlthough few analysts view a complete dissolution of the EU as likely, the future shape and character of the Union are being increasingly questioned. Supporters of the European project worry that for the first time in its 60-year history, some aspects of EU integration could be stopped or reversed. Others contend that there is a chance that the multiple crises currently facing the EU could produce some beneficial EU reforms, encourage further political and economic integration, and ultimately transform the bloc into a more effective and cohesive entity.\nSuccessive U.S. Administrations and many Members of Congress have long supported the European integration project, viewing it as fostering democratic allies and strong trading partners in Europe. The United States and the EU share a dynamic political partnership on a wide range of foreign policy issues, and U.S.-EU trade and investment relations are close, extensive, and mutually beneficial. How the EU evolves in the years ahead may have significant strategic and economic repercussions for the United States.\nThis report provides a brief history of the EU and the major challenges currently confronting the EU as an institution. It also discusses the potential implications both for the EU itself and for U.S.-EU relations. For additional information on the EU, see CRS Report RS21372, The European Union: Questions and Answers.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44249", "sha1": "e5fe3014108b186557cbde953995dc9c95e83c9e", "filename": "files/20160621_R44249_e5fe3014108b186557cbde953995dc9c95e83c9e.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44249", "sha1": "0090943d17f7ac4a16d3bb562e01f85dbf00cb8a", "filename": "files/20160621_R44249_0090943d17f7ac4a16d3bb562e01f85dbf00cb8a.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 522, "name": "European Union" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 449856, "date": "2016-02-15", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T17:10:39.819837", "title": "The European Union: Current Challenges and Future Prospects", "summary": "The European Union (EU) is a unique partnership in which member states have pooled sovereignty in certain policy areas and harmonized laws on a wide range of economic, social, and political issues. The EU is the latest stage in a process of European integration begun after World War II, initially by six Western European countries, to promote peace, security, and economic development. Today, the EU is composed of 28 member states, including most of the formerly communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.\nEU members share a customs union, a single market (in which goods, people, and capital move freely), a common trade policy, a common agricultural policy, and a common currency (the euro) that is used by 19 member states (collectively referred to as \u201cthe Eurozone\u201d). Twenty-two EU members participate in the Schengen area of free movement, in which individuals may travel without passport checks. In addition, the EU has taken steps to develop common foreign and security policies, has sought to build common internal security measures, and remains committed to enlargement, especially to the countries of the Western Balkans.\nThe EU is largely viewed as a success story and as a cornerstone of European stability and prosperity. Currently, however, the EU faces a range of political and economic pressures, including slow growth and persistently high unemployment in many EU countries, as well as the rise of far-right populist parties, at least some of which harbor anti-EU or \u201ceuroskeptic\u201d sentiments. Such factors are complicating the EU\u2019s ability to deal with a multitude of unprecedented internal and external challenges. Among the most prominent are:\nThe Greek debt crisis;\nThe ongoing migration and refugee crisis; \nThe upcoming UK referendum on EU membership;\nA resurgent Russia; and\nA heightened terrorism threat.\nThese challenges pose especially significant risks for the Eurozone and the Schengen area, two fundamental pillars of the EU. Although few analysts view a complete dissolution of the EU as likely, the future shape and character of the Union are being increasingly questioned. Supporters of the European project worry that for the first time in its 60-year history, some aspects of EU integration could be stopped or reversed. Others contend that there is a chance that the multiple crises currently facing the EU could produce some beneficial EU reforms, encourage further political and economic integration, and ultimately transform the bloc into a more effective and cohesive entity.\nSuccessive U.S. Administrations and many Members of Congress have long supported the European integration project, viewing it as fostering democratic allies and strong trading partners in Europe. The United States and the EU share a dynamic political partnership on a wide range of foreign policy issues, and U.S.-EU trade and investment relations are close, extensive, and mutually beneficial. How the EU evolves in the years ahead may have significant strategic and economic repercussions for the United States.\nThis report provides a brief history of the EU and the major challenges currently confronting the EU as an institution. It also discusses the potential implications both for the EU itself and for U.S.-EU relations. 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It also discusses the potential implications both for the EU itself and for U.S.-EU relations.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20151027_R44249_8de4cf021a676b88af3433a175ace587ca37f5d3.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20151027_R44249_8de4cf021a676b88af3433a175ace587ca37f5d3.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "International affairs", "name": "International affairs" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "European Union", "name": "European Union" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "International organization", "name": "International organization" } ] } ], "topics": [ "European Affairs", "Foreign Affairs", "Intelligence and National Security", "National Defense" ] }