EU chief invites scientists, researchers to make Europe their home, amid Trump funding threats

BRUSSELS – European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on April 29 invited scientists and researchers from the world over to make Europe their home, when the Trump administration is threatening to

cut federal funding for Harvard

and other US universities.

They have been in the administration’s crosshairs, mainly over

how they handled pro-Palestinian rallies

against Israel’s war in Gaza that roiled campuses in 2024, but also over issues like diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, climate initiatives and transgender policies.

“Controversial debates at (European) universities are welcome. We consider freedom of science and research as fundamental,” Dr von der Leyen said in Valencia, Spain, at the 2025 congress of the conservative European People’s Party, the largest in the European Parliament.

“Not only because it is a core value for us, but also because this is how excellence and innovation thrive,” she said.

“This is why Europe is open to the best and brightest. This is why we will make proposals to help them ‘Choose Europe’. Because we want scientists and researchers from all over the world to make Europe their home – and to make Europe the home of innovation again.”

Harvard scientist Donald Ingber said earlier in April he knew of post-doctoral applicants who are now turning down research positions in the US that they had accepted because they are afraid to live in America as foreigners.

They are turning to China or Europe to carry out their work.

During her speech, Dr von der Leyen sought to contrast the 27-nation European Union with the US by touting it as a role model for fair and rules-based international trade.

After weeks of threats, Mr Trump

announced on April 2 a series of broad “reciprocal tariffs”

on goods imported to the US from most other countries. They included a 20 per cent tax on EU imports that was later lowered to 10 per cent under what he called a 90-day pause, following a rout in US stock markets.

The Trump administration’s tariff policy – which it says aims to tackle unfair trade practices and re-shore manufacturing – has exacted a major toll on companies, forcing many to cut spending, upending supply chains and making it hard to plan beyond the immediate term.

“Global markets are shaken by the unpredictable tariff policy of the US administration. US tariffs on the rest of the world are at their highest in a century,” Dr von der Leyen said.

“But in every crisis, there is also an opportunity... Now the world of trade is turning towards us... They all want to deal with us. Because we are fair, reliable and we play by the rules. So let us stay the course, cool-headed and united. Because that is who we are. That is the European way of trade.” REUTERS