Madam President,
Members of the European Parliament,
Dear Minister.
The EU and the US share a strong friendship and alliance. Our transatlantic relationship is built on shared history and strong ties.
For decades, this partnership has been vital for peace, security, and economic growth. What was true yesterday remains so today and will be tomorrow.
With President Trumps inauguration, the EU is ready to deepen this essential relationship.
We will engage in meaningful dialogue, address shared interests, and tackle geopolitical challenges together.
The European Commission will uphold the EUs priorities and interests in our engagement with the new Administration.
We will support an inclusive, rules-based multilateral system based on the UN Charter, including sovereignty and border integrity.
Our commitment to Ukraine remains firm, providing political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support for a lasting peace.
The EU is committed to safeguarding democratic values and freedoms, especially free speech and electoral integrity.
We will focus on strengthening our economy, fostering innovation, and promoting competitiveness, particularly in clean and digital technologies like batteries.
Honourable Members,
We note the Memorandum on an America First Trade Policy by President Trump.
The transatlantic trade and investment relationship is a key part of the global economy. Our economies are deeply integrated with supply chains spanning both sides of the Atlantic.
The EU and the US have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship, supporting millions of jobs and accounting for 42% of global GDP.
In 2023, bilateral trade flows reached EUR 1.6 trillion with significant trade in goods and services.
Our investment flows are unmatched, with over EUR 5 trillion invested in each others economies (2022 data).
The EU aims to leverage this robust relationship for growth, technological leadership, and resilient supply chains.
We will continue as a strong partner, ready to cooperate and pursue a positive agenda with the US, discussing common interests and negotiating pragmatically.
But the EU will stand by its principles and defend its legitimate interests if needed.
We note the new US administrations decisions on energy production and exports.
The EU is the largest importer of US LNG, providing over 50% of our needs.
The Commission is ready to strengthen strategic cooperation on energy security.
The EU regrets the US decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which remains our best hope.
We have worked with the US on the Paris Agreement for over a decade.
Companies in Europe and America invest in climate action and clean technologies.
Europe will stay the course and continue this work at home and abroad.
The EU looks forward to working closely with the new US Administration on global challenges.
Much is at stake as global power dynamics shift.
We will address shared priorities for prosperity and international security, reaffirming the strength of the transatlantic partnership.
Thank you.