Podcast Summary: New Books Network

Episode: Peter Sparding, "No Better Friend? The United States and Germany Since 1945" (Hurst, 2024)

Host: Jenna Pittman
Guest: Peter Sparding
Air Date: September 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features an engaging discussion between host Jenna Pittman and author Peter Sparding, focusing on his book, "No Better Friend? The United States and Germany Since 1945." Sparding reflects on the complex, multifaceted relationship between the U.S. and Germany, tracing historical narratives, foundational perceptions, economic and security ties, and their evolving diplomatic interplay amid current global uncertainties—especially concerning the rise of China and shifting transatlantic priorities.

Guest Introduction and Book Origins (03:21–06:32)

• Peter Sparding: German-born, moved to the U.S. after studies and working at the German Marshall Fund; now at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.
• Motivation: Sparding aimed to create an accessible, well-researched account for readers interested in German-American relations that wasn't overly academic.
• Noted the lack of concise, substantive English-language books on the subject.

“The question...was whether there is a good English language book that is not a 600 page work, but maybe something more accessible…that makes it readable and maybe has some characters and anecdotes burst into the material.”
— Peter Sparding (05:25)

Timeliness and Current Relevance (07:45–09:35)

• The book was completed before the 2024 U.S. and 2025 German elections, so the most recent political developments are not included but are hinted at.
• Current diplomatic situations are marked by uncertainty, especially around security and evolving U.S. foreign policy.
• Suggests there may be need for a sequel as events rapidly evolve.

“Everybody is a little bit on edge, I think...there's a lot of immediate interest in just what happens in the coming months.”
— Peter Sparding (08:32)

Scope and Historical Framing (10:51–12:37)

• Focus is primarily on the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and its relationship with the U.S., as those foundations are central to contemporary dynamics.
• GDR (East Germany)-U.S. relationships are touched on but not explored in depth due to scope constraints.

Long Arc of German-American Relations (14:14–19:53)

Pre-1945 Context

• Early relationship marked by extensive German immigration to the U.S. (“about 7 million”) and significant cultural influence.
• Many iconic Americans have German roots, e.g., Presidents Eisenhower, Trump, Boeing, Pfizer, Lou Gehrig.
• Early mutual perceptions were complex:
  • Germans admired U.S. liberty but sometimes saw Americans as lacking deep culture.
  • Americans often viewed German immigrants with suspicion at first, but that changed over time.
  • Wartime animosity and world wars reshaped attitudes profoundly.

“The first hundred years after the founding of the United States was clearly dominated by German immigration to the United States...the influence of Germany on the shaping of the United States was actually, in my view, bigger than the reverse.”
— Peter Sparding (16:08)

The Cold War Era: Shifting Dependencies and Perceptions (20:52–27:47)

1945–1970

• Early years: U.S. was critical for West Germany’s security and rehabilitation.
• Massive public adulation for U.S. leaders (e.g., Eisenhower’s 1959 visit, JFK in 1963).
• Strong orientation towards the U.S. (Westbindung) under Adenauer.
• Persistent German anxiety about abandonment by the U.S.

“At that point a reality, that German population was seeing the US President as their security provider, ultimately.”
— Peter Sparding (21:30)

1970–1990

• Germany’s economic rise led to more assertiveness and conflict (e.g., economic disagreements, NATO’s double-track decision).
• The U.S. no longer the only power; West Germany became more self-confident.
• Emerging societal tensions: protests against U.S. military policies, especially under Reagan.

“In the mid-60s, [Germany’s] now once again one of the major economic powers. And that's where first conflicts also arise.”
— Peter Sparding (24:23)

Post-Cold War to Present: New Volatility (28:45–36:31)

1990–Present

• U.S. pivotal in enabling German reunification; initial partnership and hope for "partner in leadership."
• The erosion of the "Cold War framework" led to more volatility:
  • Germany no longer felt an immediate threat, so dependency on the U.S. wavered.
  • The 2003 Iraq War was a rupture—German opposition marked a new chapter of divergence in public and political sentiment.
• Public perceptions shifted: declining identification of the U.S. as Germany’s “best friend.”
• Ukraine crisis (2014+, especially 2022 invasion) restored awareness of security dependency on the U.S.
• Still, uncertainty prevails over the future “framework” of the relationship.

“That's the defining characteristic of this time: we have clearly the 30 years since the end of the Cold War—that period is coming to an end, but we don't know yet what is coming next and we don't have a stable framework.”
— Peter Sparding (36:17)

Economic Relations: Interdependence and Disputes (38:07–44:40)

• U.S. instrumental in Germany's postwar economic recovery—Marshall Plan, opened trading networks, made European integration possible by providing security.
• Economic interdependence grew: German investment in U.S.; U.S. business in Germany.
• Trade disputes are an enduring element (“pork war” of the 1880s, TTIP debates in 2010s).
• Economic battles sometimes intertwine with cultural perceptions and regulatory standards.
• The economic relationship has historically included points of friction but integration continues.

“The role the United States played cannot be overestimated...not only did the United States protect Germany and Europe...it also alleviated worries among other European countries of any kind of revanchist or otherwise, you know, resurgent German nationalism.”
— Peter Sparding (38:08)

China’s Rise: A New Challenge (45:19–49:46)

• The German-American relationship now plays out within the larger context of U.S.-China strategic rivalry.
• Germany’s economic ties to China are strong but increasingly fraught as Chinese manufacturing becomes globally competitive.
• Both the U.S. and Germany face similar threats from China’s economic and technological expansion, but coordinating transatlantic policy is challenging due to concurrent tensions (e.g., tariffs, U.S. stance on Ukraine).
• Europe may be arriving late to the realization of the risk posed by Chinese competition.
• Ideal future: transatlantic partnership confronting the challenge together, but outcome remains uncertain.

“There was some hope that there might be a transatlantic kind of alliance on this, because we face the same issue...But if at the same time, there are constant threats on tariffs against Europe itself...that puts Europe and Germany in a very difficult position right now.”
— Peter Sparding (47:20)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On public memory of U.S.-German presidential visits:

  “If you think of the presidential visits...Eisenhower in 1959...JFK in 1963…and compare that to...Jimmy Carter…barely a mention. It’s not that many people...”
  — Peter Sparding (21:50)

• On the recurring pattern of trade disputes:

  “You find trade disputes of similar nature in the 1880s when there was a pork war between the two countries...the American pig runs through the Brandenburg Gate...”
  — Peter Sparding (44:21)

Conclusion & Guest’s Current Work (49:46–51:38)

• Sparding is now focused on geotechnological competition, especially U.S.-China relations and how it affects U.S. alliances, including Germany and Japan.
• No new book project yet, but a possible sequel to "No Better Friend?" remains an option as world events unfold.

Recommended For

• Anyone interested in international relations, transatlantic history, or the shifting dynamics of U.S., German, and global affairs.
• Readers looking for an accessible yet insightful overview of 80 years of diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.

Where to Find the Book

• "No Better Friend? The United States and Germany Since 1945"
  Published by Hurst (UK) and Oxford University Press (U.S.), available now.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking an in-depth but accessible understanding of the U.S.-German relationship as depicted in Peter Sparding’s timely, nuanced book.