While adopting a “pragmatic” stance with Donald Trump’s incoming US government, EU head Ursula von der Leyen has urged the bloc to “deepen” relationships with China and improve relations with India, reports RTE.
Ms. von der Leyen highlighted collaboration over conflict with Mr. Trump, who has pledged harsh import taxes on important allies as part of his trade policies, in her opening remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“Our first priority will be to engage early, discuss common interests, and be ready to negotiate,” she said, reports RTE.
“We will be pragmatic, but we will always stand by our principles,” said Ms von der Leyen, stressing that Europe remained committed to the Paris climate agreement despite Mr Trump’s order to withdraw the US from the deal, reports RTE.
Despite growing trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels, the EU president devoted a large portion of her speech to the need to develop alliances outside of the US and urged the bloc to “engage constructively” with China.
“2025 marks 50 years of our Union’s diplomatic relations with China. I see it as an opportunity to engage and deepen our relationship with China, and where possible, even to expand our trade and investment ties,” she said, reports RTE.
On the first international trip under its new mission, she also declared that her top team will travel to India to strengthen connections.
“Together with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi we want to upgrade the strategic partnership with the largest country and democracy in the world,” Ms von der Leyen said, reports RTE.
Although the returning US president has refrained from declaring immediate additional tariffs, the EU has stated that it is “ready” to protect its interests should Mr. Trump fulfil his trade threats.
“It is in no one’s interest, to break the bonds in the global economy,” Ms von der Leyen said, reports RTE.
In light of the impending danger, the EU has been attempting to broaden its economic alliances, recently announcing the resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement with Malaysia as well as a stronger trade agreement with Mexico.
According to the Ukrainian leader, Ukraine is in the process of arranging a meeting between Mr. Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky. There isn’t a date yet, reports RTE.
“The teams have been working on a meeting, they are currently in the process,” Mr Zelensky said at an interview panel at the World Economic Forum.
Although it’s unclear when or how he expects to do so, Mr. Trump has stated that he wants to swiftly put an end to Russia’s conflict against Ukraine.
After promising over the summer to end the nearly three-year conflict “in 24 hours,” Mr Trump more recently suggested a timeline of several months, reports RTE.
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