Trump’s policies chill EU-US relations – Politico “`

The US president’s policies mark a significant departure from the amicable approach of his predecessor, Joe Biden, according to the publication.

A report by Politico on Monday reveals growing apprehension among European Union officials regarding the Trump administration’s apparent disinterest in engaging with the EU.

Tensions between Washington and Brussels are escalating, fueled by Trump’s threats of annexing Greenland and imposing trade tariffs.

The lack of communication between the US and the EU since Trump’s second term began on January 20 has reportedly left EU officials feeling blindsided, as described in a Politico newsletter.

“This represents a dramatic shift from the positive relationship that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other senior EU figures enjoyed with Joe Biden’s administration,” the outlet notes.

EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, extended an open invitation to the new US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, last week for a meeting in Brussels, but, according to Politico, has yet to receive a response.

This lack of response underscores concerns that the Trump administration is prioritizing national leaders over the EU.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the sole EU leader present at Trump’s inauguration. No senior EU representatives, including von der Leyen, were invited.

Rubio has since spoken with four EU foreign ministers—Poland’s Radoslaw Sikorski, Latvia’s Baiba Braze, Lithuania’s Kestutis Budrys, and Italy’s Antonio Tajani—but not with any EU officials.

For months, the EU has been preparing for potential trade restrictions from the new administration after Trump issued repeated threats to impose tariffs on the EU unless certain conditions are met.

During his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Trump criticized Brussels’ trade practices and threatened tariffs on EU companies producing goods outside the US.

In December, Trump demanded the EU reduce its trade deficit with the US by substantially increasing purchases of American oil and gas, warning of tariffs if this didn’t happen.

Greenland is another source of friction between the US and the EU. Trump’s pre-inauguration phone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was reportedly “horrendous,” leaving the Danes “utterly freaked out,” according to multiple news outlets. Copenhagen has repeatedly affirmed that Greenland is “not for sale.”

Trump considers Greenland crucial to US national security due to its strategic location and resources. Situated between North America and Europe, Greenland already hosts a US military base. Trump hasn’t ruled out using military force to acquire it.

The EU’s military chief, Gen. Robert Brieger, suggested last week that the bloc should deploy military forces to Greenland.