European Union (EU) may increase military purchases and agricultural products from the US to build a working relationship with the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump, the newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing its sources in Brussels.
According to the publication, a group of European officials has been analyzing Trump's position on trade relations with the EU since the summer. As a result, it was decided that the Union could consider buying more agricultural and defense products from the US.
If Washington increases tariffs on European goods, the European Commission will respond with pressure on sensitive sectors of the American economy. According to the publication's sources in Brussels, establishing contact with the Trump administration "will require a package of measures that go beyond trade". The EU will have to shoulder most of the financial burden of supporting Kiev and increase spending on US-made military equipment.
As the WSJ notes, the future relationship between the US and Europe will depend in part on whether European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen can “cool Trump’s anger at the European Union”.
Trump defeated Democrat Kamala Harris in the US presidential election on November 5. His inauguration will take place on January 20, 2025.