Von der Leyen: World is ‘lining up’ to work with EU amid Trump’s trade war

By Nicholas Vinocur | 04/22/2025 01:02 PM EDT

In exclusive comments to POLITICO, the European Commission president touted the EU as a safe haven in an unpredictable world.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a press conference.

Ursula Von der Leyen has contrasted Donald Trump's volatility by playing up Europe's steadfastness. Nicolas Tucat/AFP via Getty Images

BRUSSELS — Countries are ready to work with reliable trade partners in Europe after President Donald Trump’s blanket trade tariffs upended global markets, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told POLITICO.

“In a more and more unpredictable global environment, countries are lining up to work with us,” the Commission president said without naming Trump or the U.S.

In recent weeks she has spoken to leaders from Iceland, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Canada, India and the United Arab Emirates who were looking for “strong, reliable partners.”

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The global order is “shifting more deeply than at any time since the Cold War ended,” von der Leyen added.

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