European officials begin using burner phones in US over fears of Trump spying

European officials traveling to the U.S. will reportedly use burner phones and other measures over fears that they will be spied on by President Donald Trump's administration.

Four sources familiar with the situation told the Financial Times that officials traveling to the IMF and World Bank spring meetings had been given new guidance to avoid espionage.

"They said the measures replicate those used on trips to Ukraine and China, where standard IT kit cannot be brought into the countries for fear of Russian or Chinese surveillance," the Times reported.

"They are worried about the US getting into the commission systems," one official noted.

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Another official declared that the "transatlantic alliance is over."

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was expected to meet with EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič next week to resolve a brewing trade war after Trump ordered tariffs on European countries.

"Officials said the guidance for all staff travelling to the US included a recommendation that they should turn off phones at the border and place them in special sleeves to protect them from spying if left unattended," the report noted.