European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is reportedly seeking a meeting with Donald Trump in Florida before his inauguration as president.
According to Bloomberg, two sources familiar with the matter confirmed that discussions between European Commission representatives and Trump’s aides have taken place. However, it remains unclear whether the visit to Trump’s Florida estate can be arranged before January 20.
The effort to schedule the meeting is further complicated by von der Leyen’s ongoing recovery from a severe case of pneumonia. She has not yet returned to Brussels after the holidays and is recuperating in her home country, Germany.
EU officials are working to establish reliable communication channels with senior members of Trump’s incoming administration. Trump has repeatedly criticized Europe for its treatment of the U.S. and has vowed to impose tariffs on the EU while pressing it to increase defense spending.
On Thursday evening, von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa released identical statements emphasizing their commitment to strengthening transatlantic ties.
“We look forward to positive engagement with the new U.S. administration, built on our shared values and common interests. In an uncertain world, Europe and the U.S. are stronger together,” they wrote.
Von der Leyen had particularly close ties with outgoing President Joe Biden, frequently visiting the White House to coordinate policies on Ukraine and China. Privately, the EU has pledged to closely collaborate with Trump’s team on policies regarding China. However, European officials have cautioned that such cooperation would only be possible if Trump refrains from targeting the EU with tariffs.
