President Donald Trump is reported to have told Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, that he is concerned that Americans may lose jobs as a result of Brexit. Mr Trump is currently in Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union, for meetings with Mr Tusk and Mr Juncker and other EU officials. EU leaders expressed irritation at Mr Trump during his election campaign last year, when he applauded the UK on its decision to leave the EU and suggested other countries might follow suit. Mr Trump also criticised the EU alliance as a “vehicle for Germany”.
However, since coming to office Mr Trump appears to have altered his position on the EU, stating that a strong Europe is important to both him and the United States. It was reported that during a conversation last month with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, Mr Trump repeatedly asked if the US could negotiate a trade deal with Germany. After Ms Merkel responded that the only trade deal would be with the EU, not Germany, Mr Trump reportedly accepted this position, and stated he would consider a deal with Europe instead. If Mr Trump were to pursue a trade deal with the EU, it could mean negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership could be restarted; Mr Trump shelved the deal when he came into office.