Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in Washington D.C. Thursday for talks with President Donald Trump and top administration officials at the White House. Her visit comes as her government tries to negotiate a new trade agreement between the two countries, in addition to doing some bidding for the European Union. Italy has a trade surplus, not a deficit, with the U.S.
"There will be a trade deal, 100 percent," Trump said Thursday. “Of course there will be a trade deal. They want to make one very much and we are going to make a trade deal, I fully expect it, but it will be a fair deal.”
🚨Giorgia Meloni arrives at the White House—Greeted by President Trump! pic.twitter.com/ak3gE3q1Mz
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 17, 2025
"Well, I'm here exactly to make the West stronger. For I believe in the West unity. And I think simply, we have to talk and find ourselves in the best middle way to grow together. That's why I'm here. If I wouldn't think it's a reliable partner, I wouldn't be here," Meloni said. "I'm sure we can make a deal, and I'm here to help on that. I cannot lock this deal in the name of the European Union. My goal would be to invite President Trump to pay an official visit to Italy and understand if there's a possibility when it comes to organize also such a meeting with Europe. For I think the best way is that we simply speak frankly about the needs that every one of us has, and finding ourselves a needle. That's useful for all I. Really somebody calls me such a Western nationalism. I don't know if it is the right word, but I'm sure that together, we are stronger. And I have to find a way. I'm here to find the best way to make us both stronger on the two shores of the Atlantic."
#FPVideo: Italy's Prime Minister @GiorgiaMeloni is in Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump on Thursday. She aims to convince the US president to negotiate a more favourable deal on EU tariffs. pic.twitter.com/1eSEXWmpN7
— Firstpost (@firstpost) April 17, 2025
"Meloni’s priority is going to be the tariffs on European industrial goods – and she is believed to have a widespread mandate from Ursula von der Leyen to negotiate on behalf of the European Union," the White House pool report states. "Ahead of her trip, Meloni told business leaders that she supported a European Commission proposal for zero tariffs between the US and the EU, and that she would propose that in Washington. Von der Leyen has endorsed a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the EU and the US, for example in a post on X last week. The plan calls for the reciprocal elimination of tariffs on existing industrial goods between the EU and the US. Other likely topics of the discussion will be China, Ukraine, defense spending, energy exports, and AI."
Two weeks ago Trump slapped reciprocal tariffs on the European Union as part his Liberation Day declaration from the Rose Garden.
On Wednesday trade leaders from Japan were at the White House for talks with Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
"Had a very productive call with the President of Mexico yesterday. Likewise, I met with the highest level Japanese Trade Representatives. It was a very productive meeting. Every Nation, including China, wants to meet! Today, Italy!" Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday morning.
Following yesterday’s meetings with Minister Ryosei Akazawa of Japan, I am glad that our discussions on trade are progressing in a highly satisfactory direction.
— Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) April 17, 2025
With many thanks to @POTUS for hosting our very productive talks and putting us on the path towards the best possible…
Unlike leftist leaders in Europe, Meloni is a conservative populist who has leaned into Trump's style and governance. The view from POLITICO in Rome is this:
Giorgia Meloni finally has the chance to demonstrate that befriending the volatile occupant of the White House was worth the effort.
As she flies to Washington this week, the Italian prime minister will try to convince U.S. President Donald Trump not to impose new tariffs that would deliver a severe economic blow to Europe — and a potentially lethal one to Italian exporters.
Meloni’s personal engagement with Trump has set nerves jangling in other EU capitals. But as the bloc faces up to a potentially ruinous trade war, even her wariest counterparts are coming round to the idea that she may be the only European leader he is willing to listen to.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is headed to Italy tomorrow and will visit with Meloni while he is there.
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