The Trust Factor in the Dynamics of Transatlantic Relations: Prospects for NATO Development

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of “trust” in NATO as a key element of the alliance structure and its impact on the dynamics of interactions between the United States and its European allies. Throughout the history of the bloc, relations within the alliance have been asymmetrical. The main focus is on the crisis of trust that escalated during the presidency of Donald Trump, who questioned the traditional foundations of the alliance such as mutual security commitments and shared values. The goal of the study is to identify major discursive practices and behavioral patterns of allies that serve as indicators of “mistrust”, to analyze their causes and implications for NATO stability. The work identifies the main factors affecting the dynamics of “trust” relations within NATO. The scientific significance of the study lies in the application of a constructivist approach to the study of alliances, which allows us to reveal normative and behavioral aspects of trust. The practical value of the work is associated with an analysis of the strategies of European countries in the context of increasing asymmetry and the transactional nature of relations with the United States. Overall, trust in transatlantic relations has been showing a tendency towards instability and dependence on internal and external changes and shocks. The Trump administration’s actions have intensified these crisis tendencies, but they lie in long-term differences between the US and Europe. European initiatives to strengthen defense autonomy are not yet able to replace transatlantic solidarity.