The European Union Ambassador to the United States, Irish man David O'Sullivan, has spoken of the disagreements and challenges of dealing with the Trump administration.
President Trump has been a strong critic of the EU and supported the UK's decision to leave the bloc.
Mr O'Sullivan will retire from his role at the end of this month and spoke to members of the European media in Washington today.
He said that while there have been some challenging moments and disagreements with the Trump administration, the relationship remains vitally important for both Europe and the US.
"We've had our differences in the past and we'll have them in the future but we have closer relations with each other than either of us will ever have with anyone else," he said.
"President Trump was elected on a platform of disruption and of challenging the traditional network of alliances and relationships and he has not disappointed, he has done that.
"There have been challenging moments, whether on security, trade or foreign policy issues like climate change and Iran."
Ambassador O'Sullivan said the EU-US relationship has had its ups and downs, moments of greater cooperation or moments of greater disagreement.
"What binds us together remains much more important than what separates us," he said.
Last month it was reported that the diplomatic status of the EU Delegation in Washington had been downgraded by the Trump administration.
Mr O'Sullivan declined to comment on the matter but insisted that he continues to have the same level of access under this government as he did under the Obama administration.
"I have excellent access and cooperation with this administration as with the previous one. I have no difficulty obtaining meetings, the door is open. I was just up on Capitol Hill yesterday meeting members of Congress. I have always been very well received and get all the access I need," he said.
On how Brexit is being perceived in the US, Ambassador O'Sullivan said there is both interest and confusion among Americans.
"Most of the time people here are asking me if I can explain what's going on. People find it difficult and confusing to follow. Mostly people are wondering how it will all end and what it will mean particularly for US businesses with investments in the UK."
The ambassador also noted the strong views expressed recently by some members of Congress about the impact that Brexit could have on the Northern Ireland peace process.
