Brussels has defended its ongoing diplomatic engagement with the White House following the abrupt cancellation of a key meeting between EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting, initially scheduled for Kallas’ visit to Washington DC, was called off due to “scheduling issues,” leaving the EU diplomat without the high-level meeting that was meant to be the highlight of her trip. Neither the EU nor the US provided additional details on why the meeting was canceled.
Tensions Rise Amid Trump’s Comments and Tariff Threats
The canceled meeting comes shortly after US President Donald Trump made controversial remarks during a Cabinet meeting, where he accused the European Union of being “formed to screw the United States.” Trump also announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on EU-made goods, although a formal policy decision has not yet been released.
The combination of the canceled meeting and Trump’s comments has raised concerns over the future of EU-US relations, particularly under the current US administration.
EU Faces Challenges with Trump Administration
The cancellation of the Kallas-Rubio meeting highlights ongoing diplomatic hurdles between Brussels and Washington. Trump’s remarks about disliking the EU while expressing admiration for individual European countries has caused a divide, with Hungary positioning itself as one of Trump’s key European allies. These developments threaten to weaken the EU’s unified stance in global affairs.
Adding to the strain, the timing of the tariff announcement comes just a week after European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič’s visit to Washington to ease trade tensions, further complicating Brussels’ diplomatic efforts.
Brussels Remains Optimistic Despite Setbacks
Despite these challenges, the European Commission maintains that its diplomatic ties with the White House remain “good” and “positive.” Arianna Podestà, the Commission’s deputy chief spokesperson, emphasized that high-level political contacts between the EU and the US have been ongoing, focusing on issues that are crucial for both European citizens and businesses.
Podestà stressed that the EU’s engagement with the US remains important, especially in economic and geopolitical matters, as the EU continues to navigate its relationship with the Trump administration.
Key EU Leaders Keep a Low Profile
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has yet to meet with Trump since his inauguration in January 2025. Both leaders participated in a G7 call earlier this week while von der Leyen was in Kyiv with other Western leaders.
In addition, von der Leyen met US Vice President JD Vance in Paris, just days before Vance delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference, which criticized European democracy and freedom of speech. These comments have only intensified the ongoing tensions between the EU and the US.
Special EU Summit Scheduled for March
As tensions rise, the 27 EU leaders are scheduled to meet on March 6 for a special summit. The summit will focus on addressing the growing concerns over EU-US relations, including the challenges of trade tensions, tariffs, and the broader geopolitical landscape.