A top European Union official has takern a huge swipe at Donald Trump as relations between Brussels and Washington threaten to completely implode.
European leaders have been left dazed and dismayed, following a blistering attack on the EU by Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend.
The former Ohio senator suggested that Europe was turning its back on democracy and implied that the US and the EU were drifting apart ideologically.
However, the EU’s second most powerful official has hit back, accusing the Trump administration of damaging the “trustful relationship” between the US and Europe.
While acknowledging the need to negotiate with Mr Trump, Teresa Ribera insisted that the EU would not betray its principles.
“We need to stick to our strengths and principles,” she told Reuters in an interview on Monday.
“We need to be flexible but we cannot transact on human rights nor are we going to transact on the unity of Europe, and we are not going to transact on democracy and values.”
Tensions between Brussels and Washington have been soaring over recent days, with Mr Trump putting pressure on the EU by imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to the US from March 12. Further tariffs in April will target cars, pharmaceuticals and semiconductor chips.
Ms Ribera pointed towards a lack of certainty in the US compared to the US, saying: “They want an ecosystem and a legal framework that provides certainty, stability and predictability and I wonder why we do not hear this question being raised the other way round towards Trump’s administration.
“I don’t see any predictability, stability or affordability in these announcements. This is a little bit shocking.”
Ribera’s brief in Brussels includes the power to approve or veto corporate mergers, as well as impose substantial fines on companies attempting to throttle competition.
The Trump administration has criticised the EU for having too many rules and unfairly signalling out US tech companies for investigation.
Both Apple and Meta could face large fines of up to 10% of their global annual turnover if they are found to be in breach of EU regulations.
Ribera confirmed she will reach a decision in March, despite rumours suggesting she may delay the judgement.
The EU Commission is also investigating whether Elon Musk’s social media platform X has breached the bloc’s rules against illegal content.
Ribera said Musk’s role in the US administration will not be a factor in the EU’s decision.
