Mike Pence vows support for EU despite previous Trump criticism
US Vice President Mike Pence has promised that the new administration will continue to cooperate with the European Union, despite Donald Trump's previous support for Brexit and branding its institutions as a "vehicle for Germany".
Pence visited Brussels on Monday for the first time since his election victory alongside Trump in November and he expressed a "strong commitment" to aiding the EU and its members.
"It is my privilege on behalf of President Trump to express the strong commitment of the United States to continued cooperation and partnership with the European Union," Pence said.
"Whatever our differences, our two continents share the same heritage, the same values and above all the same purpose, to promote peace and prosperity through freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and to those objectives we will remain committed."
Pence appeared alongside the head of the European Council, Donald Tusk, who said that the Vice President's words were welcome but urged the US administration to put them into practice.
"The reports of the death of the west have been greatly exaggerated. Whoever wants to demolish that order, anticipating a post-west order, must know that in its defence we will remain determined," Tusk said.
"Americans and Europeans must ... practise what they preach," Tusk added.
The relationship between the US and Europe had become somewhat strained due to overriding political factors in 2016, including Brexit and Trump's victory against Hillary Clinton.
Trump had suggested on previous occasions that more countries could follow Britain out of the bloc.
Significant elections in 2017 could see further gains from right wing parties in Holland, Germany and France, putting further pressure on Brussels, some political experts believed.