There were jokes about the cold weather as the University of Pittsburgh welcomed Malta-native Ruth Bajada, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Washington.
Bajada’s visit was framed by ongoing global crises and served as a timely backdrop for Bajada and a panel of distinguished faculty to unpack the shifting dynamics of the international legal order (ILO) in a session titled “The U.S., the EU, the Past and Future of the International Legal Order.” Alongside Bajada were Prof. Ronald Brand (Law), Prof. Randall Halle (German), and moderator Prof. Carissa Slotterback (SPIA), who guided a wide-ranging discussion grounded in both global urgency and local relevance.
The conversation centered on the transatlantic relationship between the United States and the European Union, long considered the backbone of the ILO. While headlines may suggest instability between the two entities, Bajada emphasized the enduring strength of the partnership.
“Irrespective of everything…in many ways, our relationship is firm,” she noted, underscoring that the EU’s relationship with the U.S. remains its most important globally. “There is not one single area where the EU doesn’t work with the U.S.”
At the same time, Bajada highlighted that the future of this relationship depends not only on institutions, but on individuals. “People-to-people is how this relationship will grow… it’s about the people,” she said, reinforcing the importance of cultural and educational exchanges.
Economic ties formed a key pillar of the discussion, with Bajada pointing to Pennsylvania as a tangible example of transatlantic cooperation. The EU invests tens of billions of dollars into the state each year, supporting thousands of jobs and reinforcing the region’s role in a broader global network. In this way, Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania serve as a “material reminder of what’s at stake,” Halle suggested.
The conversation then turned to geopolitical challenges, particularly the war in Ukraine. Bajada described the EU as “the biggest supporter of Ukraine,” citing both financial aid and the acceptance of millions of refugees. She also outlined the EU’s long-term vision of Ukrainian membership, acknowledging the complexity of that path while emphasizing its importance. Any resolution, she argued, must be approached carefully: “The way that Russia comes to the table…is extremely important—not only for Ukraine, for the EU, but also for the rest of the world.”
Security and defense emerged as another critical area, with Bajada noting that “more needs to be done” to strengthen cooperation. Panelists echoed this concern, linking stability in security to the viability of the ILO itself. As Brand explained, “You don’t have [an ILO] unless you have stability or predictability,” emphasizing that such systems rely on sustained collaboration and mutual trust.
That trust, however, appears increasingly fragile. Bajada pointed to a growing sense of disillusionment within Europe, noting that “for the first time, you have a huge percentage of people…with anti-American sentiment,” driven largely by disappointment. “An international legal order is based on trust,” she said.
Discussions of emerging global players and shifting alliances reinforced the sense that the current moment may mark the beginning of a new global order. From debates over Arctic strategy and Greenland to questions about “coalitions of the willing,” the panel made clear that international law is only as strong as the willingness of nations to uphold it.
Closing on a reflective note, Bajada expressed less concern about a formal break between the EU and the United States than about a gradual erosion of shared sentiment. “I daresay it’d be difficult for the U.S. to leave,” she said. “What I’m more worried about is sentiment.”
However, Bajada noted that there are many areas to continue the flourishing EU-U.S. relationship, and Brand reminded the audience that “as long as the fundamentals are there, there is room for hope.”
Written by Emilee Ruhland
