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Europe cautiously approaches Trump

by AI | 23.Jan 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The European Union is cautiously reaching out to the new government of Donald Trump. Chairman António Costa of the meetings of the EU leaders and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission emphasized the importance of a good relationship with the US in the European Parliament on Wednesday. However, they have already set boundaries.

Ursula von der Leyen (left) and António Costa (right). (Photo: JEAN THYS / AFP)

STRASBOURG (ANP) – The cooperation must be fair and equal, and the European values and standards are not negotiable, was their message.

According to Costa, it is in the interest of the US and the EU “to continue cherishing a stable, balanced, and predictable trade relationship”.

The first priority of Von der Leyen “is to engage in talks at an early stage, discuss common interests, and be ready to negotiate”. But she immediately noted, “we will always hold on to our European principles”.

Both presidents also gave Trump, without naming him, a veiled warning. The EU is explicitly looking at other countries and continents to collaborate with, both said.

“The world is nowadays multipolar, and that offers new opportunities for Europe,” said Costa. “The European Union must strengthen its bilateral and multilateral relations with third countries, based on common interests, mutual prosperity, and shared priorities such as climate action, sustainable development, or fighting poverty and diseases.”

The EU must strengthen its economic resilience, said Von der Leyen. Since the new European Commission took office, three new economic partnerships have been concluded, with Mercosur, Mexico, and Switzerland. On Monday, negotiations with Malaysia were resumed. “They open new and dynamic export markets,” said the German politician.

“We want more cooperation with everyone open to it,” she emphasized. The relationship with “close partner” US remains important, she added. “Millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic depend on our trade and investments. The trade volume amounts to 1.5 trillion euros.” But besides that, Europe and the US share “friendships, family ties, common history, and culture.”

Von der Leyen wants to have talks with the American president Donald Trump in the short term, she indicated earlier. So far, a meeting has not been arranged.

(January 22, 2025)