BRUSSELS – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has dismissed concerns that the European Union should adopt a “de-risking” strategy in its relationship with the United States, despite growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on Sunday, von der Leyen acknowledged that long-standing international alliances are shifting but emphasized that the EU’s ties with Washington remain fundamentally different from its approach to China.
“It’s a completely different relationship with the US than we have with China,” she stated, reinforcing that the bloc’s strategy of reducing economic reliance on Beijing does not apply to its transatlantic partnership.
However, she warned that the US decision to halt military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine was “a very strong wake-up call” for Europe, underscoring the need to strengthen its own defense capabilities. In response, the European Commission plans to hold regular security meetings to assess threats in key sectors such as defense and energy.
EU leaders are advancing a security initiative that could unlock up to €800 billion (US$867 billion) in additional national defense spending, including €150 billion in EU-backed loans to member states. Yet, challenges remain, particularly as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban continues to oppose efforts to bolster Ukraine’s military support.
The urgency surrounding European defense has intensified due to Trump’s shift away from supporting Kyiv and lingering doubts about the US commitment to NATO. Von der Leyen noted that these geopolitical shifts would also require adjustments to the EU’s next long-term budget, set to be proposed by mid-summer.
Despite strained communication with Trump’s administration, von der Leyen said she has been able to work with him in the past and remains open to future discussions. “I will meet with Trump when the time is right,” she affirmed.