A: Hey buddy, did you catch the news today?
B: Not yet, what's up?

A: Well, our President Ursula von der Leyen had something interesting to say. She was talking about teaming up with Asia for some free trade action!
B: Oh, really? What's that all about?

A: She thinks it could help rebuild the World Trade Organization, can you believe it? And she finds that Pacific trade pact, CPTPP, quite attractive.
B: So they're planning to make a new free-trade system, without the U.S., is that what I heard?

A: It seems like that might be the idea, yes! But here's the twist: one EU source says she might just be trying to get more power in talks with Trump's administration.
B: Hmmm... Sounds a bit tricky, but who knows what will happen next! Thanks for filling me in!
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has floated the idea of cooperating with Asia to promote rules-based free trade. She says it could serve as the basis for redesigning the World Trade Organization.



Von der Leyen spoke on Thursday after a European Union summit.



She referred to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, describing the key trade pact as "most attractive and interesting."



She also said Asian nations want structured cooperation with the EU, and the EU "wants the same."



US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy and sweeping tariffs have put the global economy at a crossroads.



Von der Leyen's comments suggest the EU may be seeking to lead a free-trade system that does not include the United States.



But one EU source says she is more likely posturing as a way to gain leverage over the Trump administration.