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What is the history of the United States' relationship with the European Union?
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The United States and the European Union have had a long and complex relationship. In the early days, the US was seen as an economic rival to the EU due to its large size and industrial might. However, after World War II, the US became a major trading partner for the EU, which saw it as a potential ally in containing Soviet expansionism. This led to the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949, which brought the US and the EU together in mutual defense against the Soviet Union. Since then, the two entities have developed closer ties, including free trade agreements, joint military operations, and diplomatic cooperation on global issues such as climate change.