EU chief risks war of words with Donald Trump as she issues 2 word warning over £376m fund

Urusla von Der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron in Paris (Image: Getty)

Ursula von der Leyen has risked the wrath of US President Donald Trump after issuing a pointed warning over recent US policies undermining academic freedom, branding the move a "gigantic miscalculation". While Washington has yet to respond, the timing of the President of the European Commission’s remarks—and the EU’s new push to attract top global researchers—could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which has recently come under fire for its stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion in research.

In a speech delivered Monday at Paris’ prestigious Sorbonne University, Ms von der Leyen introduced a €500 million initiative to attract world-leading scientists to Europe. At the same time, she sharply criticised US policies that have frozen research funding, particularly for projects linked to diversity initiatives. Though she did not directly mention Mr Trump, her words seemed a clear rebuke of his administration’s policies, with Ms von der Leyen calling the undermining of free, open research a “gigantic miscalculation.”

Donald Trump on the lawn of the White House (Image: Getty)

Trump’s administration has faced mounting criticism for its actions in recent months, which include cutting funding to research projects that focus on diversity and the study of misinformation.

In response to these developments, Ms von der Leyen said: “Science has no passport, no gender, no ethnicity, no political party,” underlining the bloc’s commitment to supporting open scientific inquiry.

The remarks come after a wave of US funding cuts, which have affected hundreds of academic projects. Among them are critical studies on climate change, misinformation, and internet censorship—research that many see as vital to global scientific progress.

In particular, the Trump administration’s decision to defund grants connected to diversity, equity, and inclusion has raised alarms, prompting protests from scientists and researchers across the country.

Ursula von der Leyen's remarks are unlikely to impress the White House (Image: Getty)

Ms von der Leyen' comments could lead to a diplomatic standoff, especially given the stakes involved. The EU’s (£376m) €500 million initiative, designed to make Europe an attractive destination for researchers, is clearly a counter to the current climate in the US.

With the EU's commitment to academic freedom, her remarks align with broader efforts to reinforce Europe’s position as a sanctuary for open, unbiased scientific research.

French President Emmanuel Macron, also present at the event, echoed Ms von der Leyen’s concerns, questioning how anyone could have predicted that the US would cancel research programs simply because they mentioned the word “diversity.”

Mr Macron also highlighted the potential impact on global scientific collaboration, stating that Europe must become a “refuge” for researchers feeling under threat elsewhere.

Ms Von der Leyen’s initiative, which includes a multi-million euro funding commitment from the European Commission, is designed to offer a “long-term perspective” to scientists worldwide.

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The program will run from 2025 to 2027 and is intended to support the best and brightest researchers from Europe and beyond. The initiative also includes a commitment to cutting red tape and improving access to venture capital for research and innovation.

At the same time, Mr Macron pledged additional investment in science and research, with France set to contribute €100 million to bolster Europe’s position as a hub for scientific excellence.

The French president’s vision of Europe as a sanctuary for research comes at a time when the Trump administration’s policies have left many in the scientific community questioning the future of academic inquiry in the US.

Though Ms von der Leyen’s speech may not have directly targeted Mr Trump, her comments have made clear the EU’s stance on the growing influence of political ideologies in research funding.

The EU’s approach, which champions freedom of scientific inquiry and diversity in research, stands in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s push to limit government support for certain types of academic work.