The European Union will have a "pragmatic" attitude towards the new administration of Donald Trump but "always" stand ready to defend its strategic interests against any unjustified measure, Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday in a speech that set the tone for how Brussels intends to engage with Washington in the next four years.

“The Paris Agreement continues to be the best hope for all humanity. So Europe will stay the course, and keep working with all nations that want to protect nature and stop global warming,” the European Union’s top executive said in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The US president had previously threatened to introduce tariffs on European imports, which was not exactly well received by European leaders and politicians.

Speaking at the Davos Summit, Ursula von der Leyen emphasided the EU's dedication to the Paris climate agreement and urged international cooperation, despite Trump’s decision to withdraw. View on euro

The European Union wants to engage and negotiate with U.S. President Donald Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday, warning of the risk of a "global race to the bottom" using tools such as tariffs.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Tuesday of an escalating economic conflict with the new US administration under Donald Trump. "No other economies in the world are as integrated as we are,

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Tuesday of the risk of a 'global race to the bottom' using economic tools such as sanctions, export controls and tariffs. Speaking at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting a day after the inauguration of U.