The Commission President's keynote speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos is a first clear response to how the EU leadership intends to handle the regime shift in Washington.
We will be pragmatic, but always stand firm on our principles. We will defend our interests and hold fast to our values, says von der Leyen.
At the same time, she emphasizes how closely interconnected the economies are in Europe and the USA.
No other economies in the world are as integrated. European companies employ 3.5 million Americans in the USA and an additional one million American jobs are directly dependent on trade with Europe, explains the Commission President.
In her speech, she is careful to note that the EU must change and become more competitive, not least through regulatory simplifications and less bureaucracy.
In contrast to Donald Trump, she also expresses strong continued support for the Paris Agreement and the fight against climate change in the world.
No one can ignore this, believes Ursula von der Leyen.
