PoliticoDonald Trump’s new EU foil: another ‘strong female German leader’
- Ursula von der Leyen wins plaudits from US national security officials, but even some of her fans worry that her ascent will further fray the tenuous US-EU relationship
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Nahal Toosi on politico.com on July 16, 2019.
Ursula von der Leyen has called Donald Trump’s discussions of Nato “immature”, questioned why he wants to be a “best buddy” with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and even suggested the president is uncomfortable with strong female leaders.
Now she’ll be his main counterpart in the European Union.
The new role for von der Leyen, who has been Germany’s defence minister since 2013, will put her at the forefront of negotiations with the US over trade, technology and other major issues.
But while von der Leyen has many admirers among American and European national security officials, even some of her fans worry that her ascent to the commission presidency will further fray the tenuous US-EU relationship under Trump.
“That job was going to be tough for anyone, especially since Trump has called the EU a ‘foe’,” said Julie Smith, a former Obama administration official who closely follows the transatlantic relationship.