European Union leaders are discussing how to maintain strong ties with Washington in light of Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election. They're concerned he may upend current policies when he returns to the White House next year.

The bloc's leaders met on Friday in the Hungarian capital Budapest.

European Council President Charles Michel told reporters beforehand that he is sure they all want to strengthen ties with Washington.

The agenda included military aid to Ukraine. Trump has accused many European countries of relying on the United States for defense.

The US president-elect is also skeptical about the EU's efforts to tackle climate change, and says he plans to once again pull out of the Paris Agreement.

The bloc's leaders will likely discuss ways to make European companies more competitive. Trump says he plans to impose steep tariffs on imports.