Vern Buchanan leads trade mission to Europe, stresses value on international trade to Florida

Roberta METSOLA, EP President receives a delegation from the US Congress. Image via European Parliament.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan led a bipartisan trade mission to Europe amid economic tensions with international allies.

The Longboat Key Republican voiced a hope for a trade partnership between the European Union and the U.S. Buchanan also co-chairs the Florida congressional delegation, and said business ties across the pond play a vital role in the state economy.

“International trade drives billions of dollars in business for Florida and supports more than 2 million jobs across our state,” Buchanan told Florida Politics. “That’s why I led a bipartisan delegation to the EU to promote stronger, fairer trade relationships that directly benefit Florida workers, farmers and businesses.”

Economic partnerships came into question when President Donald Trump announced, but quickly paused, reciprocal tariffs on international trade.

That could have particularly impacted Buchanan’s district, which includes the closest American deepwater port to the Panama Canal.

“From SeaPort Manatee to our agricultural producers, my goal is to ensure our state remains a powerhouse in global commerce,” Buchanan said. “I look forward to working with President Trump to secure a trade deal with our European partners that puts Florida first.”

Buchanan played a key role in trade negotiations during Trump’s first term as President, including serving as a congressional liaison to the White House during the crafting of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The most recent trip looked toward nations with strong ties to the U.S. without sharing a border. The trip included some colleagues in the state delegation, including Republican U.S. Reps. Neal Dunn of Panama City and Anna Paulina Luna of St. Petersburg. But it also included more liberal members of Congress including Democratic U.S. Reps. Ted Lieu of California and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Eight members of the U.S. House in total traveled in the delegation.

Lawmakers on the trip met with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Brussels. The delegation also met with Moldova President Maia Sandu, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and Interim President Ilie Bolojan, and Greek Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis and Hellenic Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis, as well as lawmakers in parliaments for the nations.

The governments embraced the chance to speak with U.S. lawmakers, and made their own priorities clear at meetings.

“Representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties stated that Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program is a deserved merit and that they will take steps to make the program available to Romanian citizens as soon as possible,” read a statement from the Romanian government provided to Romanian Insider.

Leaders in Moldova, meanwhile, stressed the importance of continued U.S. support of energy security and the pursuit of regional stability amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Romanian leaders stressed the need for a continued bilateral relationship with the U.S.

“The United States remains an indispensable ally in guaranteeing security in Europe. Romania is and will continue to be a pillar of transatlantic cohesion on NATO’s Eastern Flank — the closest, most active, and most predictable U.S. ally in the Black Sea region,” Ciolacu said in a statement.

“A strong transatlantic partnership is a vital national interest for Romania, and we are working to strengthen all its components. Since taking office as Prime Minister, I have built a highly applied economic bilateral relationship, and I am confident we will continue this approach with the new U.S. administration.”

Luna on social media said her takeaway was that the Eastern European nations support Trump’s efforts to end the war. “I recently met with the President of Moldova and the President of Romania. They want peace!” she posted on X. “They also emphasized Donald Trump is the only one that can bring peace.”

Buchanan serves as Vice Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, where he also chairs the Trade Subcommittee. His focus stayed on commerce through the trip. He signed onto a letter to Trump urging further trade deals to benefit U.S. agriculture, and said the meetings abroad could help strengthen beneficial bonds for American business.

“The central focus of our discussions was the importance of fostering a fair and balanced trade relationship — one that creates opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic and supports long-term economic growth,” Buchanan said.

“We emphasized the value of partnerships rooted in mutual respect and aligned interests, aiming to build upon a solid foundation for sustainable cooperation that benefits businesses, workers and local communities. As I return home, I’m pleased to see President Trump’s assurance to pursue a trade agreement with the European Union. As I reiterated to our counterparts in the EU this past week, I look forward to working with the President to finalize a strong, fair trade deal that reflects our shared economic goals and strengthens the transatlantic alliance.”