THE IMPACT OF TRADE AGREEMENTS ON DIPLOMATIC COOPERATION: The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Case Study

This thesis explores the intricate relationship between international trade, economic diplomacy, and geopolitics. It focuses specifically on the case of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and investigates whether the failure of TTIP has affected the broader political and diplomatic alignment between the EU and the U.S. Through a congruence analysis, integrating data and comparative analysis, this research employs International Relations theories to examine the case of TTIP, drawing on competing realist and liberalist schools of thought to assess how the case and its broader explanations can be best explained. Drawing on insights from scholars, think tanks, and geopolitical context, this thesis delves into specific research questions concerning transatlantic relations, trade policies, tariffs, diplomatic negotiations, and geopolitics. The study highlights how the collapse of TTIP negotiations marked not only a halt in economic integration but also a moment of strategic divergence between the EU and the U.S., itself rooted in evolving geopolitical priorities and shifts in global power dynamics. While liberal perspectives emphasise the missed opportunity to institutionalise economic interdependence and foster cooperative governance, realist interpretations underscore the reassertion of national interests, protectionism, and strategic recalibration. By positioning the TTIP within a broader geopolitical framework - particularly in light of rising tensions with Russia and China, the shifts in multilateral diplomacy, and the reconfiguration of global supply chains - this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of the impact of trade agreements on diplomatic relations between the European Union and the United States.