EU’s Von Der Leyen Trying to Clinch Meeting With Trump
(Bloomberg) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is trying to schedule a meeting with Donald Trump in Florida ahead of the president-elect’s inauguration, according to two people familiar with the matter.
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European Union and Trump aides have held discussions but it isn’t clear whether a visit to his Florida estate can be arranged by Jan. 20, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Attempts to set up a meeting between the pair have been complicated further because von der Leyen has yet to return to Brussels after the holidays as she tries to recover from a severe bout of pneumonia in her home country of Germany.
EU officials have so far struggled to open consistent communication channels with senior counterparts in the incoming administration. Trump has complained repeatedly that Europe treats the US badly and pledged to target the EU with tariffs and go hard on it over defense spending demands.
On Thursday evening, von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa posted identical messages saying they’re committed to strengthening the transatlantic bond.
“We look forward to a positive engagement with the incoming US Administration, based on our common values and shared interests,” they each wrote. “In a rough world, Europe and US are stronger together.”
Spokespeople for the Trump transition and the EU didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Von der Leyen enjoyed an especially close relationship with outgoing President Joe Biden and came to the White House several times to coordinate policy on Ukraine and China. Now, officials are worried that Trump may pull back US aid to Ukraine and open communications with Russia.
The EU has privately pledged to work closely with the Trump team on China actions too, but European officials have warned that such cooperation is only possible if Trump doesn’t target the EU with tariffs.
Several European leaders have been more successful in reaching out to Trump. He welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to his Mar-a-Lago resort over the weekend. Trump has also met with Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban, a close ideological ally, and he traveled to Paris to celebrate the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral where he sat down with French President Emmanuel Macron.
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