Europe looks for ‘direct line’ with Trump
(MENAFN) European officials are reportedly trying to establish a direct line of communication with US President Donald Trump, as they remain uncertain about the decision-making power of his team and their willingness to cooperate, according to a report by the New York Times on Thursday. Based on interviews with several unnamed European diplomats, the article highlights that Trump is seen as the ultimate decision-maker, yet often unpredictable, making it crucial for European leaders to connect with him directly.
Many European negotiators from NATO countries have found traditional diplomatic routes, such as the State Department and embassies, to be ineffective. The challenge is further complicated by the fact that key US figures influencing foreign policy are not career diplomats, but trusted special advisers and envoys, including figures like Elon Musk and Steve Witkoff. Sources claim that US officials are mainly focused on executing the president’s wishes, with little attention paid to the perspectives of European allies.
According to the article, the Trump administration is not particularly interested in European input, prioritizing unilateral action over consultation with allies. While European officials have had cordial discussions with their US counterparts on various issues, it is often unclear whether these discussions hold any weight in shaping foreign policy or trade. A senior European official noted that dealing directly with Trump is essential, but this has proven difficult as the president views the European Union’s collective power with disdain and sees many NATO allies as burdensome.
This communication gap comes amid strained US-EU relations, exacerbated by Washington’s tariffs on the EU, demands for increased defense spending from European NATO members, and differing stances on the Ukraine conflict. While Trump seeks diplomatic engagement with Russia to end the war, the EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.
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