Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni spoke about the possible trade agreement between the US and Europe as the Italian Prime Minister visited Washington.
“We have a 100% trade agreement,” Trump said. “But that would be a fair deal,” Meloni said “certainly” could be reached, adding that her aim was to “make the West great again.”
Meloni was the first European leader to visit Washington since Trump imposed it, and then suspended a 20% tariff on imports from the bloc.
The pair enjoys a good relationship, and Italian leaders hope to position themselves as a bridge between the EU and the US amid concerns about the broken relationship and the global impact of Trump’s tariffs.
Following their conversation at a press conference Thursday, the leader said they discussed defense spending, immigration and tariffs.
The oval office vibe looked relaxed and friendly, similar to the reception that British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer received when he visited the White House in February.
However, Meloni’s aides described the visit as a “commercial peace mission” following Trump’s decision to impose a 10% baseline tariff on almost every foreign import into the United States.
He strongly criticizes the European Union for trade, claiming it was “formed to ruin the United States.” The 20% “retaliatory” tariff on the EU is temporarily suspended until July.
Meloni previously called the tariffs “absolutely wrong” and said it would damage the EU “just like the US.”
She did not win a concrete victory at tariffs during the meeting, but she convinced Trump to accept an invitation to visit Rome.
Given the relationship between the EU and the US, Meloni could choke it as a key victory, especially if Trump agrees to meet with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Reyen, during his visit.
Meloni returns to Europe with a stronger qualification as the so-called “Trump Whisperer.”
Italian leaders praised Trump and became cautious in line with the perspective of the US president.
In her statement following the meeting, she criticized “awakened ideology” and defended “a war against illegal immigration.”
“For me, the goal is to make the West great again and I think we can do it together,” she added.
She also seized the opportunity to promote her government work. “I’m proud to be sitting here as Italian Prime Minister. We have a very good situation today. It’s a stable country, a reliable country,” Meloni said.
She noted that her government had gestured and improved employment before she added with a broad smile, “Please forgive me if I promote my country, but you are a businessman and you understand me.” Trump laughed.
Meloni was soaked in the praise that lavished her by Trump – from a tribute to her work as prime minister to spew the Italian “beautiful.”
The US president praised Meloni for taking a tough stance on immigration and said she hoped more people would be like her. Meloni said that changes are happening, referring to yesterday’s EU announcement on safe countries thanks to the example set by Italy.
When asked about Italy’s low defensive spending, it was occasionally that she showed a tingling tinge.
Meloni said he hopes Italy will announce at its next NATO conference in June that it will be able to meet the alliance’s requirements for each member state to spend 2% of its GDP on defense.
Defense spending is a key point for Trump, with US leaders repeatedly calling for NATO allies to increase spending.
Italy is one of eight countries that currently do not meet the 2% threshold and spends 1.49% on defense.
Italian opposition leader Carlo Calendar said there were “very positive results” and “two very positive results” from the visit. Meloni said he would “convince Trump to get back on the Ukraine track and meet EU figures in Italy.”
Calendar said Meloni “harves credibility as a bridge between the US and the EU,” but criticised the praise for “Trump’s fight against culture of awakening.”
