The European Union will be ready for tough negotiations with the United States to protect its own interests and will be pragmatic in trying to find solutions, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said as Europe braces for potential new U.

The leader of the French Patriots party, Florian Philippot, sharply criticized the statement of the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about the "special tribunal" for Russia and Vladimir Putin.

Officials need to manage diplomatic negotiations in a more volatile geopolitical environment, the commission president said in reference to a possible trade war between the bloc and the U.S.

"We will always protect our own interests – however and whenever that is needed," Ursula von der Leyen said after Donald Trump warned tariffs against the EU would happen "pretty soon." View on euronew

In response to European Commission President Ursula that EU and China can find agreements that could even expand trade and investment ties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that as the world faces the risks of bloc-formation,

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday spoke about the growing use of economic coercion -- such as sanctions, export controls, and tariffs and reaffirmed Europe's commitment to safeguarding its economic security.

The European Commission lays out its policy plans for the next five years to help turn the continent’s economy around.

Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression is a defense of its right to freedom and its place in the European family. Therefore, its accession to the European Union is a matter of justice for Ukraine and security for the EU.