ABSTRACT
The Europe and the USA are highly dependent on low, stable global oil prices to sustain economic growth and share an interest in maintaining energy security, which for many years was defined as reliable supplies at affordable prices. Since oil prices are determined by international market mechanisms, which are in turn affected by disparate events around the world, the transatlantic partners suffer the negative effects of price swings regardless of the actual source of their supplies. The interviews with US experts revealed several areas in which they perceived transatlantic convergence occurring, which would seem to indicate that the relationship has improved in recent years. According to several interviewees, the climate debate within Washington has become so acrimonious that Republicans and Democrats no longer discuss it. The EU is far from fully aligning with the US' geopolitical posturing, but it has become more willing to take proactive and defensive measures to protect itself from disruptions.
