Europe needs good relations with both in order to penetrate growing markets, tap sources for raw materials and energy, and ensure its own domestic stability, whereas many Europeans believe that US policies alienate these regions. In these circumstances, the transatlantic alliance survives less from genuinely shared interests than from inertia.
欧洲立场的改变与地缘政治利益密切相关。欧洲东部与俄国接壤，而其南部则是穆斯林世界。欧洲需要与两者保持良好的关系才能进入发展中国家市场，利用原材料和能源资源，同时确保自身的稳定，而在许多欧洲人看来，美国的政策导致了与上述地区的关系日渐疏离。在这样的情况下，跨大西洋联盟生存的基础与其说是真正的共同利益，还不如说是长期积累的惯性。