Problem: President Trump Believes Ursula Von Der Leyen Is An Administrator. Not Head Of State, Not Head Of Government. Von De Leyen Believes Herself As Both. Who Prevails?
To President Trump, Dr. Ursula Von Der Leyen Is An Administrator. Neither A Head Of State Nor Head Of Government.
Dr. Von De Leyen Believes Herself Simultaneously As Head Of State And Head Of Government. That Is A Problem For President Trump… And For Some Countries Within The European Union.
“I had a phone call with the president-elect right after his election, the teams are in contact. This is the usual way, so that after now the president is in office, sooner or later, there will be a visit and intensification of the contact.” Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, President of European Commission (EC) since 2019 (reappointed in 2024 to a second five-year term).
European Union (EU): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Why Should President Of The United States Negotiate With An Administrator Rather Negotiate Directly With Heads Of State And Heads Of Government?
Bloomberg: “EU officials and leaders are rushing to strengthen their ties as concerns loom that Donald Trump will make good on his pledge to put “America First” by trying to divide and conquer the bloc through tariffs. The commission urged member states in a private meeting last week to remain united, with some comparing the situation to Brexit negotiations, we’re told. At that time, the UK tried to undercut the bloc’s strength by seeking bilateral deals. As many European countries struggle with economic angst and political paralysis, Germany’s Olaf Scholz, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen have traveled around the region in recent weeks to discuss the risks that a weakened EU might face from the new US administration.”
Donald Trump, 47th President of the United States (2025-2029), views prime ministers as fragile and views presidents as stable.
He can make deals with presidents and monarchs, while deals with prime ministers are subject to an often-unsettled multi-party parliamentary debate process. Which is a foundation for how President Trump views muscular leadership in China, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, United Arab Emirates, and even Venezuela.
Dr. von der Leyen wants to be viewed simultaneously as a head of state and head of government whereas President Trump views her as an administrator, an executive administrator.
A position not elected directly by the approximately four hundred million eligible voters in the twenty-seven (27) country members of the Brussels-based European Union (EU), but by a majority of the members of parties represented in the 720-member Strasbourg, France-based European Parliament (EP) elected to five-year terms. From the perspective of President Trump, he was elected. Dr. von der Leyen was appointed.
President Trump also appreciates that most consequential decisions from the EU require unanimity for implementation or super majorities. One head of state or head of government can forestall a decision supported by the appointed executive body European Commission (EC) in Brussels and the heads of state/heads of government member European Council (EC) in Brussels which “defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union.” Another reason for President Trump to bypass the presidents of each in favor of direct negotiations with individual heads of state and heads of government.
In some respects, President Trump views the governing structures of the EU to be the European-continent version of the “deep state” which President Trump views as impeding the true desires of an electorate. Any head of state and head of government who opposes centralized decision-making processes as embodied by the EC will be welcomed by him to negotiate directly with him.
President Trump Asks Why Dr. Von De Leyen, President Of The EC And Antonio Costa, President Of The European Council (EC), Participate In G7 Summits And G20 Summits.
From the perspective of President Trump, when representatives of the EU and EC participate at G7 Summits and G20 Summits, the result is an unfair shift in equilibrium towards the agendas of the EU and away from agendas not only the United States, but individual members of the EU.
Why should the EU have a seat at G7 Summits when EU members Germany, France, and Italy are represented by their respective heads of state and heads of government? And EU-member Spain is an invited guest.
Group of 7 (G7) (in order of 2024 GDP): (2014-Present) includes United States, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada. The Russian Federation (which in 2024 ranks after Canada) was excluded in 2014 due to its military actions on the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine.
Why should the EU have a seat at G20 Summits when EU members France, Germany, and Italy are represented by their respective heads of state and heads of government? And, EU-member Spain is an invited guest?
Group of 20 (G20): Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, United Kingdom, United States.
2024 GDP Country Ranking (in order of size): United States, China, Germany, Japan, India, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Canada, Russia, Mexico, Australia, South Korea, Spain, Indonesia.
To Increase Global Relevance, Replace EU/EC Representatives At G7 Summits And G20 Summits With Heads Of State And Heads of Government From China And India?
There are two countries whose 2024 GDP are larger than those included in the G7- China and India. Including China and India in the G7 would exclude Italy and Canada.
European Commission And European Council Structures
“Role of the European Commission. The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. Its main roles include: proposing new laws and policies; monitoring their implementation; managing the EU budget. The Commission also ensures that EU policies and laws are correctly applied across Member States, negotiates international agreements on behalf of the EU, and allocates funding. Additionally, it represents the interests of the EU on the global stage, ensuring a coordinated approach among EU countries.
Political leadership. A College of 27 Commissioners, led by the Commission President, steers the Commission's work. The Commissioners work on specific policy priorities that are set out by the Commission President.
Departments and executive agencies. The Commission is organised into: Policy departments, known as Directorates-General, responsible for different policy areas. They develop, implement and manage EU policy, law, and funding programmes: Service departments dealing with particular administrative issues; Executive agencies managing programmes set up by the Commission.
Commission offices. The European Commission is present in each Member State with at least one representation office in charge of communication and information at local level. Offices outside the EU, known as EU Delegations, are managed by the European External Action Service. They help promote EU interests and policies as well as undertake a variety of outreach programmes.
European Council. Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal (2015-2024) serves as president of the European Council (EC). The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. The members of the European Council are the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states, the European Council President and the President of the European Commission.”
Global Grouping Memberships
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand, United States, Vietnam.
European Union (EU): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Group of 7 (G7) is based less upon Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and more about the type of government. (2014-Present) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, and United States. The Russian Federation was excluded in 2014 due to its military actions on the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine.
Group of 20 (G20) is based solely upon GDP. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, United Kingdom, United States.
BRICS: Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates. NOTE: Saudi Arabia continues to consider membership.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO): China, Russia, Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Albania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Romania, Germany, Slovakia, Greece, Slovenia, Hungary, Spain, Turkiye, Latvia, and North Macedonia, Sweden.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC): China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States. Ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly (with end of term year): Algeria (2025), Denmark (2026), Greece (2026), Guyana (2025), Pakistan (2026), Panama (2026), Republic of Korea (2025), Sierra Leone (2025), Slovenia (2025), Somalia (2026).