US President Donald Trump’s administration has lowered the status of the European Union’s diplomats in Washington without notifying Brussels, EU officials said yesterday.

The change in protocol for a close US ally means the bloc’s Washington-based diplomats are less likely to be invited to high-profile events and have a lower importance than under former president Barack Obama.

The snub, first reported by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, was illustrated at the December 5 funeral of another former US president, George HW Bush, when Europe’s envoy was among the last diplomats to be called to pay respects, one EU official said.

“We understand there was a recent change in the way the diplomatic precedence list is implemented by the United States’ protocol,” a Commission spokeswoman told a briefing.

“We are currently discussing with the relevant services in the administration possible implications for the EU delegation in Washington.”

Two other EU diplomats confirmed the downgrade, with one saying it was unlikely the bloc would retaliate given its desire for good relations. US diplomats in Brussels were not available for comment.

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