EU diplomats clash with Trump administration over top Bosnia and Herzegovina post

Diplomats in Sarajevo failed to agree on a candidate for the high representative role, which carries a lot of power and influence across the Balkans

In recent months, US policy has prioritised the pursuit of advantage for US firms, and in particular a company run by associates of Donald Trump, while European powers have so far refused to yield to US demands, despite threats from Washington to cut off funding and participation in the international presence in Bosnia if its wishes are not fulfilled. The Balkan country has consequently become a testing ground for Europe’s capacity to unite and stand up to US Maga foreign policy in its own backyard.
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In the run-up to that initial meeting, the Trump administration had rattled European capitals by insisting that the current high representative be removed after he defied US wishes. Under a compromise with Germany, Schmidt was persuaded to resign, but would stay in his post until Bosnian elections in October. In recent weeks, however, the Trump administration reneged on that understanding and demanded Schmidt’s immediate departure.
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There has been no clear explanation from Washington for its abrupt manoeuvring, but European officials in Sarajevo suspect it is closely related to the new US priority in the region: to clear the way for a $1bn gas pipeline contract, the Southern Interconnection. This has been provisionally awarded to AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, a US-based company with minimal infrastructure experience, but strong personal connections to Donald Trump.

Last month, the Trump administration unveiled a new policy for the Balkans, stating that henceforth US actions in the region would be guided by the need to pursue “direct return” for American companies, in place of what it called “open-ended institution building”.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/30/eu-diplomats-clash-with-trump-administration-over-top-bosnia-and-herzegovina-post