According to a New York Times report, European officials are seeking a direct line of communication with President Trump because they believe even his closest advisors lack true decision-making authority.
Citing sources, the New York Times reported Thursday that European officials are trying to establish a “direct line” to President Trump, questioning whether his team has the power to make meaningful decisions or is willing to cooperate.
The report, based on interviews with multiple unnamed European officials, portrays Trump as “the ultimate decision maker” whose unpredictability makes direct access a priority for European leaders.
The report suggests that traditional diplomatic channels, like the State Department and embassies, have become ineffective for many high-level negotiators from European NATO countries. The situation is further complicated because the most effective contacts within the U.S. government are often not career diplomats, but special envoys and advisors like Elon Musk and Steve Witkoff.
The NYT was told by officials that their American counterparts seem primarily focused on fulfilling the president’s wishes, showing little interest in the opinions of America’s allies.
A NYT source stated that the Trump administration is “not terribly interested in what the Europeans have to say,” adding, “It’s all about unilateralism and they don’t consult much. After all, if they don’t consider us allies to that extent, why would they?”
The article notes that while senior Trump officials have engaged in “cordial” discussions with their European counterparts on various topics, “it is never clear to allies” if these officials possess “real power over foreign policy or trade.”
A senior European official told the NYT, ”Everyone in D.C. says you have to talk to Trump directly.”
However, securing direct communication has been challenging even for top EU officials, as Trump “despises the collective power of the European Union and sees many NATO allies as freeloaders,” the paper reported. It added that leaders like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are finding it difficult to schedule meetings with Trump.
This communication breakdown occurs amid strained US-EU relations, stemming from Washington’s imposition of tariffs and its pressure on European NATO members to increase their defense spending. Disagreements over the Ukraine conflict also play a role, with Trump actively pursuing diplomacy with Russia to resolve the conflict, while the EU insists on supporting Kiev “for as long as it takes.”
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