The British government remains comfortable with its coordination with the Biden administration on issues such as Russia, climate change, and tensions with Iran. But it is increasingly concerned that Biden is ultimately unreliable. Seeing horrific images out of Afghanistan and the apparent impotence of American power, allies have wanted reassurance. Instead, they have seen Biden sequester himself in the forests at Camp David. Some allies are now asking whether Biden even has the capacity to do his job.

This concern over Biden’s leadership detachment has significantly catalyzed Franco-German discussions on the need to develop an independent security policy. Such a development undermines Biden’s interest in developing a more coordinated Western front against China.

Europe’s new uncertainty over Biden has added import alongside the continuing U.S. travel ban on flights from Britain and the European Union. While the lifting of that ban is a top priority on the part of U.S. allies, the White House has been radio silent as to when, how, or by what metric the ban might be lifted.

Biden does not appear to care.