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Speech at the Charlemagne Prize: Von der Leyen calls for an ‘independent Europe’.

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Published: May 29th, 2025,
Last updated: June 2nd, 2025

Ursula von der Leyen calls for a more „independent Europe“ in her acceptance speech after receiving the Charlemagne Prize.

In her remarks, von der Leyen warned of „great powers that are willing to use all fair and unfair means to gain an advantage,“ referring both to Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the ongoing trade dispute with the United States. „Of course, we want to restore our trade partnership with the United States on a solid footing,“ she said. On the trade conflict, she noted: „But we also know that 87 percent of global trade happens with other countries.“

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Ursula von der Leyen