As global attention shifts to the renewed U.S.-EU trade agenda, one glaring omission stands out: no communication has taken place between President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen since Trump’s return to office.
This silence comes despite Trump’s public insistence that a new U.S.-EU trade agreement is inevitable. “There’ll be a trade deal, 100%,” he proclaimed during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, his actions tell a different story. While leaders like Meloni and Japanese officials have already made their rounds in Washington, von der Leyen, who holds exclusive EU trade authority, remains excluded from direct talks.
An Uneasy Pause and a Looming Deadline
Earlier this month, Trump announced a potential 20% tariff on EU goods, only to suspend it for 90 days—creating a high-stakes window for negotiation. While the U.S. frames this as a critical diplomatic opportunity, EU officials fear it’s more a pressure tactic than a good-faith gesture.
Despite attempts to reach out, von der Leyen has not been granted a meeting or even a phone call. Instead, trade-level discussions have been relegated to deputies like European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, who has held meetings with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
The Limits of Bilateral Diplomacy
Italy’s Meloni, eager to portray herself as a bridge between the EU and the U.S., expressed confidence in brokering an agreement—but admitted she has no mandate to negotiate on behalf of the European Union. That power lies solely with the European Commission.
The unified EU trade policy—covering 27 member states—ensures that no country can strike an independent deal or set individual tariffs. Yet Trump’s approach seems to sideline the Commission in favor of one-on-one diplomacy with individual nations.
Trump’s EU Skepticism and the Digital Tensions
Trump’s discomfort with the EU is longstanding. He has accused the bloc of unfair trade practices and “ripping off” the U.S., painting the EU as an obstructionist power. His administration appears particularly critical of recent EU tech regulations, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA)—laws that have triggered investigations into U.S. tech giants like Meta, Apple, and Google.
White House insiders, including trade advisor Peter Navarro, have connected these regulations to the current trade standoff, accusing the EU of weaponizing legal frameworks against American firms.
Behind the Scenes, Progress is Sluggish
Despite ongoing technical talks, negotiators acknowledge that progress is slow. A source close to the discussions revealed concerns that even a tentative agreement may collapse if Trump or his advisors shift course unexpectedly. With tariff threats still on the table—especially targeting pharmaceuticals—the stakes are high.
There is also growing suspicion within the EU that the White House could abandon the 90-day negotiation window entirely, using the threat of renewed tariffs to extract concessions.
Diplomatic Disconnect and Strategic Uncertainty
Von der Leyen, who has described herself as a “convinced Atlanticist,” has hardened her tone in recent public remarks, distancing the EU from autocratic behaviors and asserting its values.
Yet without direct engagement between the two top leaders, many fear that U.S.-EU relations are drifting into a vacuum—one where critical decisions are being made by deputies lacking the authority to seal deals.
In Trump’s own words: “We’re in no rush.” A statement that starkly contrasts with the ticking clock of economic uncertainty facing businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.