European Union and US leaders are holding their annual summit today but there appears to be little hope of narrowing differences over trade policy and Middle East peacemaking.
The White House meeting will bring together Mr George W. Bush, European Commission President Mr Romano Prodi and Spanish Prime Minister Mr Jose Maria Aznar, holder of the EU's rotating presidency.
US officials said the summit, Mr Bush's second since taking office, would highlight close cooperation between the US and the EU since September 11th in combating global terrorism. But they concede rifts have emerged on several issues, from the war on terrorism to trade and investment.
Differences over the death penalty, the use of military tribunals to try foreign terror suspects and data protection may also slow the talks.
They have complained that the EU has been slow to crack down on the finances of groups that carry out terror attacks against Israel.
Many European leaders have opposed US efforts to use the war against terrorism as grounds for a possible attack on Iraqi President Mr Saddam Hussein.
Most Europeans view Mr Bush as too indulgent toward Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon. Many US lawmakers counter the EU is soft on Palestinian President Mr Yasser Arafat, undermining US efforts to end the violence in the Middle East.
Some EU states are calling for a Middle East peace summit as soon as possible, but the Bush administration said yesterday such a meeting must wait for more progress to be made.