Michel And Von Der Leyen Arrive At White House For US-EU Summit

European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have arrived at the White House for the first US-EU summit in two years.

• The summit is designed to aid in the completion of a deal on steel and aluminium deal which requires ratification to prevent the return of Trump-era tariffs and retaliatory measures from the EU, set to be reimposed if a deal isn't struck by January 1.
• Semafor notes that geostrategic differences may also undermine the summit: “Washington and Brussels also have differing outlooks on the Middle East: U.S. President Joe Biden voiced unflinching support for Israel on a recent trip, while European officials disagree among themselves on the degree of their backing. The two sides were also still haggling over what the summit statement would say about China, with the U.S. advocating a more hawkish stance than the EU.”
• Politico reports: “…on the eve of the summit negotiators had failed to strike a deal, making it unlikely that any breakthrough will be announced while the EU contingent is in town… Instead: Biden and von der Leyen are poised to announce “significant progress” … and voice hope for a deal by year-end...”