ABSTRACT
The process of integration is increasing the importance of the European Community in international economic affairs. The Single Market, Economic and Monetary Union, and the enlargement of country membership are creating a larger, more influential European partner for the United States and the rest of the world. The institutions of the Community, however, have been designed to advance economic integration and satisfy its political requirements. Those institutions have not been tailored primarily for expedient decisionmaking. Policymaking authority is widely dispersed within the Community, consensus is required on most important matters, and several actors can singlehandedly block Community action. The broad agenda before the Community might therefore exceed the policymaking capacity of its institutions, as presently constituted. Provided that the Community supports open multilateralism, European integration is in the general political and economic interest of the United States. But, between now and that indefinite point in the future when Community policymaking is streamlined, the United States must contend with a slow-acting and sometimes inward-looking partner and should therefore adapt its strategies of cooperation.
