In the oval office, Italian Prime Minister Meloni told Trump that together, “we can make the West great again.”
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to the White House on Thursday, with both leaders showing confidence that trade deals will emerge with the European Union.
“There’s very little problem with doing business with Europe or with others,” Trump said.
He dismissed concerns about China’s tariff escalation with the US and attempted to beat its trading partners in an ongoing trade dispute.
“No one can compete with us,” Trump said. “I think we’re going to do something very good with China.”
Meloni is expected to play a key role in calming trade tensions between the US and the European Union.
“I’m sure we can make a deal. I’m here to help with that,” she told reporters before the two leaders entered the oval office for further discussion.
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The president praised the Italian prime minister, saying, “She does a great job in Italy. We are extremely proud of her.”
Both leaders expressed optimism after the meeting was over. They received questions from the media at the oval office, and during that time Meloni thanked Trump for accepting an official visit to Italy “in the near future.”
She said both leaders share the same views on “waking up and the battle against day ideology” and illegal immigration.
“My goal is to create the WestAgain, and I think we can do it together,” Meloni said.
She has also pledged to boost the importation of LNG from the US.
White House officials told reporters in a call Thursday that they previewed the meeting and told reporters that the president’s expectations for Italy and all other EU countries are to play their role in becoming a good trading partner with the United States.
“The visit is based not only on the shared interests of the US and Italy and on strong bilateral relations between Italy, but also on Meloni’s role as a key force in Europe and on voices looking at the president on many issues, such as immigration and war in Ukraine,” the official said.
“I think she’s more and more in the European Union, and I think many other states are grateful for her leadership.
In 2024, the US had a trade deficit of $235.6 billion with the European bloc, up 13% over the previous year.
On April 2nd, Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff in almost every country, adding higher mutual tariffs to many key trading partners who created the “worst criminals” list. The list included the European Union (20%), Japan (24%), Taiwan (32%) and South Korea (25%).
Shortly afterwards, Trump introduced a 90-day suspension on mutual tariffs for countries that have expressed their willingness to participate in negotiations, but the 10% baseline tariff remains in effect.
The EU is currently facing three different US tariffs. This is a 25% duty on automobiles, a 25% duty on steel and aluminum, and a 10% duty.
“We know we’re in difficult moments,” Meloni said this week in Rome. “It’s true, I know very well what I represent and what I defend.”
As a European leader, Meloni has the opportunity to pave the way for more detailed and constructive US trade talks.
Meloni was the only European head of government to attend Trump’s inauguration in January.
Before taking office, in January, Trump invited the Prime Minister to meet at his Mar-A-Lago resort. During the visit, the two leaders had dinner and participated in a panel discussion with Trump supporters.
NATO Expense Commitment
Trump has urged NATO allies to increase military spending to 5% of GDP.
However, Italy has spent almost 1.5% of its GDP on defense, below NATO’s current 2% target.
During her meeting with Trump, Meloni promised that her country would soon meet 2% of its targets.
“Italia has announced that it has gone to the next NATO summit and raised 2% as requested,” she told reporters.
According to the White House, there are eight countries within a 31-person block that currently does not meet the 2% threshold.
“You know, Europe is committed to doing more and more, working on tools to allow and support member states to increase their defence spending,” Meloni said at the conference. “And we’re sure everyone needs to do more.”
At the bilateral meeting, Meloni was scheduled to discuss expanding NATO Article 5 agreement with Ukraine.
In March, Meloni proposed to extend Article 5, the Alliance’s collective defence commitment, to Ukraine without the membership of the country. Article 5, the cornerstone of the alliance, states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all members.
A White House official who wanted to remain anonymous said before the meeting that Meloni’s plans would not agree with Trump during the Epoch era. Neither leader developed a subject after the meeting.
