International Context and the Specific Value of EU–US Collaboration

This chapter considers the overall international setting as it affects research and innovation (R&I) and policy collaboration between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), in two main ways: research‐based policy and policy‐based R&I activities. It discusses some “generic” advantages to EU–US collaboration in overview, in relation to the policy and technology life cycles and in terms of specific collaborative activities. The chapter provides a tabular overview of policy‐driven R&I and R&I‐driven policy areas where joint EU–US collaboration might be fruitful, and the history and comparability of information and communication technology‐related policies in the European Union and the United States. It gives a snapshot of priorities and frameworks of greatest policy relevance in the European Union and the United States. Potential barriers to collaboration on policy‐driven R&I are discussed along with “external” R&I‐related policy initiatives.