EU Council head highlights balanced, predictable trade ties with US

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The EU is looking forward to closely with the new US administration to work on shared priorities, while "naturally protecting our own interests," president of the European Council said Wednesday.

"The European Union and United States are each other's largest trading and investment partners. It is in the interest of both to keep fostering a stable, balanced and predictable trade relationship," said Antonio Costa.

He noted that there is a need to renew EU relations with the UK and work for a stronger transatlantic relationship, rooted in our common history and deep bonds with the US and Canada.

"We are looking forward to working closely with the new US administration to advance a positive and fair economic cooperation and to work on our shared priorities for prosperity and security, while naturally protecting our own interests," Costa told in his first address in the European Parliament as president of the European Council.

Underlining that today's multi-polar world opens new opportunities for Europe, he noted that the bloc needs to strengthen its bilateral and multilateral relationships with third countries based on common interest.

"We remain committed to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Pact for the Future and the Paris Agreement," said Costa, Portuguese lawyer and politician, who took office on Dec. 1, 2024.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the Paris climate accord in a controversial move that has brought wide-range of criticism.

- Informal meeting on defense

Turning to defense and security, Costa stated that to preserve peace, the EU need to assume "greater responsibility" for its own defense, strategic autonomy, and sovereignty.

"There is an overall sense of urgency and a strategic purpose among us. We are on the right track to build the Europe of Defense," he noted.

Costa said that "sense of urgency and purpose" has led him to invite European leaders for an informal meeting on defense on Feb. 3.

"This is the very first time the European Leaders will get together in a meeting exclusively dedicated to defense. To prepare the ground for the next decisions we will have to take, and to provide political guidance for the White Paper on defense being prepared by the European Commission and the High Representative."

The EU Council president noted that NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be among participants in the planned meeting.

"It is in our interest to do more in the field of defense," Costa said.

"To become more resilient, more efficient, more autonomous, and a more reliable security and defense actor," he added.