Unprecedented Clash Between Washington and Brussels Amid Starmer’s Visit

The U.S. administration has renewed its attack on Europe, coinciding with the arrival of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington and a day before the Ukrainian president’s visit to the U.S. capital. These visits followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s trip to Washington earlier in the week.

During the first meeting held by the new U.S. administration, President Donald Trump reiterated the accusations he made at the start of his first term in 2017 against the European Union, describing it as an “enemy” created “to harm the United States in trade.” However, this time, he used harsher and more pointed language, stating: “I love the countries of Europe. I really love all of them; each one is different. But let’s be honest, the European Union was founded to harm the United States—that was the goal, and they succeeded.” He added that he is preparing to hit Europe with a 25 percent tariff on cars and other goods.

In response to his statements, a spokesperson for the European Commission said in a statement: “The European Union is the world’s largest free trade market and has been a benefit to the United States.” The Commission called for “working together to preserve these opportunities for our citizens and businesses, rather than working against each other.” It emphasized that “by creating a large and integrated single market, the European Union has facilitated trade, reduced costs for American exporters, and standardized regulations across 27 countries.”