Taking Advantage of Economic and Cultural Contact Zones to Promote a Transatlantic Community
In spaces of contact between the United States and Europe where transnational identities, values, and understanding mix, transatlantic issues are most relevant. After World War II, the transatlantic alliance flourished thanks in part to the Allied Forces’ occupation of Germany. Transatlantic relations remained at the forefront for decades due to the Cold War and threat of Soviet aggression. Since the 1990’s this has changed and America has gradually withdrawn troops reducing the once high number of 200,000 military personnel to 30,000. This dwindling military presence can easily create the illusion that the transatlantic community is less connected and it’s important for transatlantic policy makers to react to this change and pivot their interests to where todays’ most important and most progressive transatlantic interactions occur, specifically between European and American companies.
40.8% of the European Union’s FDI is in the United States totaling about 2,809.2 billion Euros. Likewise, according to Ernst and Young in 2016, “Outside of Europe, the US led all FDI investments into Europe – 1,193 FDI projects and 58,437 jobs created – and is the top country globally to invest in Europe. In the finance and business services sector, the US created 558 projects and 22,425 jobs”. These investments are often consolidated in certain cities and regions, helping to build mini transatlantic communities all across the Atlantic. By focusing on these new target groups and important actors created by economic opportunity rather than military strategy, policy makers and politicians modernize the transatlantic dialogue.
These places of interaction, or contact zones, are located away from the typical political centers of Berlin and D.C. These groups are those who benefit most directly and concretely from transatlantic relations. Take, for example, the state of Tennessee. According to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, “there are 103 German-owned companies in Tennessee that have invested nearly $5.3 billion throughout the state and employ almost 14,000 Tennesseans. Germany is the second-largest source of FDI in Tennessee, behind only Japan.”. Communities like Chattanooga hosting the new Volkswagen plant benefit greatly from German investment and positive transatlantic trade policy. Deborah J. Levine describes the city after the Volkswagen plant arrived in Chattanooga: “A railroad was revived, industrial parks were developed, roads were built, vendors arrived, and new businesses sprouted up creating thousands of new jobs. Education began to include German language courses and German-style internships. Volkswagen helped fuel our passion for technology and we’re now known as Gig City. Chattanooga is becoming a Southern-style global village”. This single city, a mountain range away from Washington D.C., has developed into a prospering transnational, transatlantic community thanks to good relations between America and Europe. The economic and transatlantic transformation of Chattanooga and other cities like it such as Tuscaloosa, Alabama via Mercedes, and Spartanburg, South Carolina via BMW, shouldn’t be ignored.
These transatlantic cities are not only limited to the U.S., but can be found on both sides of the Atlantic; American company Amazon has large distribution centers across Germany, such as in Regensburg, and American company Johnson & Johnson has host of locations across the EU. These places are best adapted to be the first to implement the Atlantic Expedition Memo’s initiatives. They need to be highlighted as the new hotbeds for transatlantic interaction and thus a new source for supporters of a strong and prosperous transatlantic community. They are diverse from one another in culture, location, and political beliefs and including them in the transatlantic narrative not only modernizes it, but also expands and varies its constituents.
As laid out in part three of the first Expedition’s policy, “Bridging the Atlantic: Towards a New Education Agenda,” “students will have the opportunity to learn about and represent their national views while being challenged by increased exposure to the perspectives of individuals from different counties”. These education initiatives will be most successful centralized in communities already influenced by transatlantic relations, such as Chattanooga. From here they have the opportunity to gather success and then spread to other areas of the country. What’s more, initiatives such as the “Working Class Exchange Program” would have fewer startup issues and prosper best between workers and factories that already account for local and international employees working together. Transatlantic locations like Chattanooga, Spartanburg, or Regensburg are by default set up to accommodate for workers from both sides of the Atlantic.
While trade and economic relations make up only part of the whole that is the transatlantic alliance, better recognizing the economic, and especially cultural, impact of good trade relations between American and Europe can help boost support for a wider transatlantic agenda (economic, cultural, and political) from communities and actors that weren’t considered influential before. These communities, influenced by transatlantic corporations and spread out from Tennessee to Alabama to Bavaria, provide invaluable resources for implementing the Atlantic Expedition’s policy described in the Atlantic memo. They are prepared, by virtue of the already existing points of contact, for initiatives strategizing to build a transatlantic community. Therefore, investing politically in these communities can provide for successful pro-transatlantic policy and modern transatlantic relationship building.
Hi Allison, I really enjoyed reading your article. It was very helpful to learn about concrete examples of existing “contact zones.” I was especially intrigued by Chattanooga, TN. Out of my ignorance of the area, I would not have expected TN to have such a vibrant German/American exchange.
To explore your idea further, I was wondering; In what ways would you like to see such communities supported? Also, how can their success be translated into wider public support for transatlantic links?
Hi Angela,
Thank you very much for your comment! In my opinion they should be more politically supported by transatlantic activists and and policy maker. To be more specific: certain institutions like the German-American Chamber of Commerce, embassies and consulates, and other institutions like the Atlantic Initiative could have a more active and visible presence in these cities by coming to local events and reaching out to local citizens by holding open discussion forums with topics ranging from free trade to foreign policy. Ideally, European-American institutions (like the German-American institutes spread around Germany) could be founded in these regions. These kinds of groups help to solidify community engagement for locals of all backgrounds, not just those who work for the aforementioned companies by making visible the exchange of transatlantic ideas and values–possibly via a lecture series, discussion forums, or exhibitions. This kind of involvement can amplify the impact of the current transatlantic exchanges happening in these cities and move it away from the factories and into the community. The success from these undertakings could potentially create a network of new transatlantic cities (unified by the outreach of current and new institutions) that realize their transatlantic links. They would be able to think more critically and practically about transatlantic policy and hopefully create more awareness among voters regarding important transatlantic issues like trade and security.
Best,
Allison
That sounds very pragmatic and feasible.
I’m already imagining hosting a mini Oktoberfest or an American BBQ in one of these communities. My exploration of other cultures seems to revolve around food and drink 🙂 There are so many potential ways to stimulate this kind of engagement by building on the foundation of these already existing communities. Thanks for sharing your idea!
Allison, thank you so much for this important contribution! We do not only have to reach out beyond the US coasts and the big urban hubs and look for already existing transatlantic ties we also need to make them best practices for a wider interest in transatlantic exchange.
Looking at the examples you provided, like Chatanooga or Spartansburg, the exchange over workforce development could be such a best practice. There is a strong interest in the US in extending vocational training in order to create an alternative to the “college for all” narrative. Thus, already existing local apprenticeship structures, especially around German plants in the South, are yet to become well know best examples. This could be a very practical and need-oriented approach to foster transatlantic exchange on a wider scale.
Hi Anda Catharina,
Thanks for commenting! I completely agree. I think these places would be the perfect starting points for introducing much-needed apprenticeship and vocational programs. They could set the standard for the practice in America and initiate the spread of these programs nationally.
Best,
Allison
Hi Allison, Thanks for this great piece. I agree that going beyond DC and Berlin will be crucial for a new narrative and that the economy can be an important factor contributing to international understanding – also because it counters narratives of economic isolation with a narrative of economic benefits . My impression is that there’s an imbalance between the U.S. and Germany though. In these past couple of years there has been so much negative reporting on amazon’s fulfillment centers in Germany that I’m not sure what role major American companies play in transatlantic interactions. How do you perceive the public opinion in Regensburg? And to add to your ideas: Inter-company employee exchanges between German and American branches could also be a good tool. Same as best-practice exchanges on topics like digitalization or other specific issues relevant to both economies. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this. All the best, Carolin
Hi Carolin, the topic of digitalization is a very valid point if we want to connect the “countrysides”. But (at least for Germany) there is dire need for more IT infrastructure to make this happen.
Hi Carolin,
I really appreciated your feedback and I think you bring up a very valid point. American companies in Europe and in Germany sometimes don’t have the same positive or measurable impact as they have on the other side of the Atlantic. From my personal experience, Amazon doesn’t have the same type of impact in Regensburg as Volkswagen has in Chattanooga and it’s true that there can be lots of critique surrounding some companies. However, American companies located in Europe still present new points of contact economically and culturally that shouldn’t be ignored. I would suggest that the already existing networks of transatlantic institutions in Germany reach out to these communities and encourage more discussion and interaction between citizens and ex-pats outside of the companies, thus creating a more open transatlantic dialogue and bringing more critical and practical awareness to transatlantic issues .
It could be that tapping into these contact zones is simply more effective in America, but the ones in Europe shouldn’t be forgotten or left behind.
Also, thanks for your contribution! That’s a great idea to not only encourage exchanges between employees, but also between company practices. It could lead to a universal transatlantic standard for transatlantic companies.
Best,
Allison
Hi Allison, Thanks for getting back to me. I agree with you that the American companies in Germany shouldn’t be forgotten and it’s definitely wise to make use of an already existing infrastructure. Maybe it doesn’t necessarily have to be major companies like Amazon. The start-up scene in Berlin for example – which to a large extent is driven by internationals/Americans – could also provide a great “contact zone” for a transatlantic dialogue focusing on entrepreneurial thinking and innovation mechanisms. Is that something that would work with your idea? Best, Carolin
Hi Carolin,
Absolutely the start-up culture could work, that’s a great idea! The entrepreneurial perspective would be a very interesting and fresh contribution to the transatlantic narrative.
Best,
Allison
Hi Allison,
your article was very appealing to me. It was interesting to read about the influence of German FDI in the United States. Making use of already existing transatlantic communities when tyring to improve the transatlantic relations seems to be compelling out of the reasons you mentioned. I may raise one concern, though. Should not rather those communities be targeted that do not experience directly
the results of good relations than those communities that do? An adventurous analogy might be that the less immigrants are living in a federal state of Germany the higher the resentments towards them are
(http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/rechtsextremismus/studie-zu-fremdenfeindlichkeit-starke-vorbehalte-gegen-auslaender-in-sachsen-anhalt-13527552.html).
Don’t you think that those communities who have the least experiences of transtatlantic relations
should be targeted, as their concerns might be higher?
Regards,
Mathias
Hi Mathias,
Thank you for your feedback! You bring up a very valid and compelling point. In my opinion, the cities and regions I mentioned need to be recognized as the new transatlantic contact zones, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the only communities that needs to be brought into the discussion. By widening the network of transatlantic cities outside of Berlin and D.C., there’s more infrastructure to reach out to cities that don’t have any transatlantic interactions. You’re absolutely right that the communities with the least interactions with issues often have the strongest opposition, but it would be difficult to reach out directly to them with no infrastructure. I suggest using these new transatlantic contact zones as starting points, then widening the transatlantic narrative from there.
Best,
Allison
I agree with Allison. It is important to strengthen the first transatlantic contact zones, before spreading it to less open communities. In my opinion, it is important to communicate the gains of transatlantic relations on a local level. Sceptical communities must be convinced of the advantages thanks to transatlantic role models such as Chattanooga/Volkswagen.
Hello Allison:
How do you envision these ‘mini transatlantic communities’ put pressure on the big players in the field and get their buy in down the road? Creation of centralized trading and community partnership on a micro scale is a great way, but how would you engage or anticipate the bigger community’s future participation? So that this evolves into something on a macro scale, and getting the entire nation engaged, as opposed to some localized markets? Is there even a strategy you’d propose or just focus on localized field/market?
Hi Petra,
good question. If there would be a centralized organization it wouldn’t be “mini communities” and if there are just isolated communities it would be difficult to realize the long term goals. If we think of digital markets/communities/companies (as proposed by Carolin) it could work by the sheer number of individuals?
Hi Petra,
Thanks very much for your comment! The way I see it, by bringing awareness to these communities and engaging more directly with them, you create a more informed public that can better debate transatlantic issues like trade and security. Strategically, institutions like German-American institutions, the German-American Chamber of Commerce, or locally founded institutions could go to community events and host forum discussions in these cities. Ideally, this more informed public would elect more transatlantic-focused local, state, and national representatives–thus sending politicians to help contribute to the bigger picture of transatlantic relations. I understand that the impact of engaging with these communities could be minute at first, but they present important opportunities, no matter how small, to bring in new stakeholders and allies for promoting a transatlantic community.
Best,
Allison
Hi Allison,
Thank you for your interesting perspective. It was fascinating for me to read which economic ties between Germany and US exist and how unknown they generally are. While I support your idea of making these great examples more public and to stress their benefits, I’d be curious to here from you how one could go about this exactly and also why you think this hasn’t been done before? Thank you.
Hi Guido,
I’m glad you enjoyed reading the article and thank you for your feedback! I think it hasn’t been explored before because the transatlantic ties in these communities are relatively new: the plant in Spartanburg was introduced in 1992, Mercedes in Tuscaloosa 1993, and Volkswagen in Chattanooga 2011. Their impacts on the community are now coming to full fruition and it’s the perfect time to engage. I think the best way of going about this is engaging directly with the communities. Having embassies, institutions, chambers of commerce, and politicians recognize these areas directly and reach out to the citizens there not only at the factories but also in town. Ideally, European-American institutions (like the German-American institutes spread around Germany) or satellite offices of current institutions could be founded in these regions that host a lecture series, discussion forums, or exhibitions.
Best,
Allison
Hi Allison,
it was good to read about the economic ties across the Atlantic outside of coastal/capital areas. The idea to foster transatlantic understanding through trade seems very appealing. I was wondering, however, if we might overstate the effect of such ties? To stick to your Tennessee example: Donald Trump, who was considered as anti-trade by many and who was not exactly a strong advocate for transatlantic ties, got 60 % of the vote in Tennessee and 56 % of the vote in Hamilton County (Chattanooga). How would you interpret those numbers with regard to your goal to boost the transatlantic agenda?
Best,
Florian
Hi Florian,
Thanks very much for your feedback! I think the point you bring up is important to address. The cities I mentioned are situated in the deep south in very conservative states and the election results are actually no surprise. Interestingly, when you look closer at the 2016 election results for Tennessee, a historically very red state with only 3 counties voting Democrat, Hamilton county is actually one of very few counties with a more split vote (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election_in_Tennessee,_2016). With the right kind of engagement with the public, the county could very easily swing democratic.
It’s important to engage with these transatlantic communities regardless of their history or current political stance. New allies and stakeholders supporting the transatlantic community will have to come from those not currently part of the narrative. Engaging in areas like the south is just as important and possibly even more impactful.
Best,
Allison
Hi Allison,
Thanks for your refreshing article. As you described, Town twinning has increasingly been used to form strategic international business links. For example, in the 1990s, when the Nottingham City Council in the UK considered installing a tram network, it consulted experts from its twin city of Karlsruhe, which has one of the most extensive and efficient tram networks in Germany. With assistance from Karlsruhe’s specialist engineers, Nottingham completed its second tram line in 2013. More recently Bristol and New Orleans have announced their intention to form a ‘tuning’ partnership based on a shared musical heritage and culture offer, at the initiative of Bristol Mayor George Ferguson. Annecy, France and Nerima, Tokyo have for several years shared a partnership based around their “co-existent animation industry”. I think such strategic Town winnings between Germany and the U. S have become less frequent and less important. Do you have more examples for strategic town partnerships like Regensburg?
Greetings
Tim
Hi Tim,
Thanks for your contribution! I was not aware of these “Town Twinning” successes and I think they’re great examples of international interaction on a community scale. In my opinion, my proposition to acquire new stakeholders and allies functions best with more emphasis on direct community engagement and less emphasis on engagement between city governments. However, having a “sister-city” for the community to consult with could be advantageous. Regensburg and Leipzig are both large Amazon hubs and could easily partner with Seattle, Washington. Coca-Cola located in Berlin could partner with Atlanta, Georgia.
Best,
Allison
Allison – I couldn’t agree more on the strategy of ensuring that people understand the tangible economic benefits of specific FDI and using that understanding to make people more receptive to a broader narrative about why international relationships are beneficial. I liked your examples and I would build on them by asking about your ideas for communicating the connection between these jobs and overall American international engagement, openness, and trade agreements; conversely, how do we cogently portray the risk of loss of these jobs as it relates to a reclusive foreign policy? -Mike
Hi Michael,
Thanks for your comment! To answer your question, I would make sure to strategize that important entities, (often located outside these cities) such as state politicians, embassies/consulates, and transatlantic institutions are not only aware of the impact of these jobs but actively engaged in these communities. This, in turn, creates a more engaged and informed public that will hopefully be able to think more critically and practically when it comes to trade agreements and openness. Creating more local and national stakeholders who support these transatlantic communities widens the scope of who would be impacted by a loss of jobs. Potentially this creates a first line of defense against isolationist rhetoric. There will always be those lauding a reclusive foreign policy. Hopefully a more informed public and engaged infrastructure of intermediate stakeholders will help debate and critically challenge this type of policy.
Best,
Allison
Allison, I really enjoyed reading your article and getting to know about the transatlantic cities. It is very interesting that in the beginning you mentioned that since the 1990’s America has gradually withdrawn troops reducing the once high number of 200,000 military personnel to 30,000 in Germany. Whenever I am in the US and people realize I have a German accent, there comes up something like: “Oh my husband/uncle/friend etc. has been to Germany for the army. Has been the greatest time for the whole family.” So the influence of this exchange is much higher than many might have expected. We need to fill that gap with new stories to be told in order to build a transatlantic community. I enjoyed your input for that matter and think transatlantic cities could play an important role within a new narrative.
Hi Simon,
Thanks very much for your feedback! I like the way you phrased your idea and you’re absolutely right: we need to “fill the gap” with new stories and engage not only with old but also with new communities.
Best,
Allison
Hi Allison,
I really like your article. I remember when I was younger, my family used to visit Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate (Ramstein is near the city). It was the first time I felt the importance of the American military for Germany’s history. I certainly miss listen to AFN Eagle !
Your analysis of the transformation of Chattanooga is very interesting. I am especially surprised that the arrival of Volkswagen led to a general interest in German language and culture. Is this a typical American way to embrace foreign companies ? I cannot think of a similar reaction where (except for the military).
You commented to my article that American institutions need « to be more proactive on a global/transatlantic scale (in terms of transparency and education) ». Do you think that the Chattanooga/Volkswagen experience might be a blueprint for that ?
Best,
Leon
Hi Leon,
Thanks for your comment! I’m glad you found the article interesting and I definitely thought of towns like Kaiserslautern when I was writing it.
When it comes to Volkswagen’s integration into Chattanooga, I’m not certain if this is the exact experience of all cities with international companies–that would be interesting to further look in to.
As far as if this could be a blueprint for global transparency and education, I definitely see some opportunity here. As you mentioned in your article, those against TTIP often cite standards as the biggest concern for freer trade between the Atlantic. It’s interesting to note that the standard of the VW car isn’t necessarily made different just because it’s produced outside of Germany. This could be just one small example supporting that idea that trade doesn’t automatically produce bad products. Of course, this doesn’t prove anything, but more talk about cities like these could help improve the transparency and education issue. What do you think?