Introduction

EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen’s opinion on EU relations with Trump and Xi reflects a nuanced and strategic approach to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape.

Relations with Trump

Von der Leyen is taking a pragmatic stance towards a potential Trump administration:

Exploring Common Interests

She stressed that the EU will explore common interests with the United States under Trump’s leadership.

Economic Partnership

Von der Leyen emphasized that the US remains the EU’s biggest economic and trading partner, highlighting the importance of building good relations from the start.

Energy Cooperation

She indicated openness to discussing increased imports of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a potential area of cooperation.

Preparedness

The European Commission has been working on ‘Trump-proofing’ the bloc, preparing strategies to deal with potential challenges such as tariffs or security issues.

Relations with Xi and China

Von der Leyen’s approach to China is characterized by a more assertive stance:

Fair Trade Practices

She has called for Europe to demand equal market access for its companies in China, echoing US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s tough stance on perceived unfair Chinese trade practices.

Overcapacity Concerns

Von der Leyen has urged European leaders, particularly German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, to address issues of Chinese overcapacity and unfair competitive practices.

De-risking Strategy

The EU under von der Leyen’s leadership is pursuing a “de-risking” approach rather than full decoupling from China, aiming to reduce critical dependencies while maintaining economic ties.

Balancing Act

Von der Leyen is navigating a complex situation where the EU must balance its economic interests with China against pressure from the US to take a harder line.

Conclusion

In conclusion, von der Leyen’s opinion reflects a careful balancing act. With Trump, she seeks to maintain strong transatlantic ties while protecting EU interests. Regarding Xi and China, she advocates for a more assertive approach on trade issues while avoiding complete economic decoupling. This strategy aims to position the EU as a sovereign actor capable of managing its relationships with both global powers independently.