Press statement by President von der Leyen and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Good afternoon,

I am delighted to welcome the U.S. Secretary of State, Tony Blinken, to the European Commission. The United States is an important and valued partner for the European Union and we want to forge a new EU-U.S. global agenda to meet the challenges, but also to seize the opportunities of our time. 

Tony, your presence here today is a very clear sign that we share the same ambition. Our meeting today will also be an opportunity to follow up on my recent phone call with President Biden.

Our most immediate priority is to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and to deal with its consequences on the economy, on people. We know that no region in the world will be safe unless all are safe. I therefore look forward to engaging with you, Tony, on strengthening the global supply chains for vaccines. And we all have to prepare for potential escape mutants. So from sequencing to investing money into research to make sure that if necessary we immediately have an adapted vaccine, and that we invest in capacities of pharmaceutical companies for mass production.  For all that, we need to join forces against the virus.

On another topic: Earlier this month, President Biden and I agreed to suspend all tariffs imposed in the context of the Airbus-Boeing disputes for four months. This is a positive and important step, but there are other tariffs still in place, and wider issues to address, such as the reform for example of the multilateral trading system. So I am looking forward to discussing how to shape our trade and technology agenda and how to harness the joint potential.

Another important topic will be climate change. Climate change remains the defining challenge of our time. We whole-heartedly commend President Biden for re-joining the Paris Agreement. And we are very much looking forward to preparing the key milestones of this year – this begins with Earth Day at the end of April, COP15 in Kunming in October, and COP26 in Glasgow in November. The European Union and the United States must develop true solutions, enhance innovation, set ambitious objectives, and work together to achieve those.

Last but not least, I am looking forward to discussing key foreign policy and security issues with you, Tony. Of course, topics concerning NATO – the EU and NATO have an excellent relationship – but also topics ranging from China to Russia, our relation to Turkey, but also our relation to the Western Balkans and our friends in the Eastern and Southern partnership – many topics to tackle.

We share common concerns and we should seek opportunities to work together beyond our respective borders. Stronger joint efforts between us are essential to tackle these challenges effectively. Let me thank you once again for your presence today. I am very much looking forward to productive work between the European Union and the United States of America in the coming years.