EU foreign ministers concerned over cold relations with new Trump administration

The European Union’s foreign ministers are set to meet amid rising concerns about the bloc's relationship with the newly inaugurated Trump administration.

Kaja Kallas, the EU's chief diplomat, has issued an unusual “open invitation” to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to attend the gathering, reflecting a desire for engagement that has so far been met with silence, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Rubio’s lack of response underscores a troubling trend: the EU appears to be sidelined in favour of direct interactions with individual national leaders. Notably, no high-ranking EU officials were invited to Trump’s inauguration, with only Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in attendance. This shift marks a stark contrast to the more collaborative relationship that EU leaders, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, enjoyed under the Biden administration.

Adding to the tension, Trump’s recent phone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reportedly went poorly, with the US president emphasising his interest in Greenland. Meanwhile, Rubio has engaged with numerous foreign ministers but has not communicated with any EU representatives, raising alarm among European officials.

In her recent speech at Davos, von der Leyen highlighted potential trade deals with nations outside the US, signalling the EU's need to diversify its partnerships. However, as the US remains the bloc's largest trading partner, the growing rift with Washington poses significant challenges that EU leaders can no longer ignore.

As the foreign ministers convene, the pressing question remains: how will the EU address its shifting dynamics with the Trump administration, and what strategies will they pursue to re-establish a collaborative relationship?