Trade Talks Flourish as Trump and Meloni Seek US-EU Agreement

In a pivotal meeting aimed at strengthening transatlantic trade relations, Trump and Meloni expressed optimism about a potential US-EU trade deal while addressing key issues on defense, immigration, and tariffs.

Former President Donald Trump welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Washington, where they both expressed optimism about the possibility of a trade agreement between the United States and the European Union. “There will be a trade deal, 100%,” Trump stated confidently, while Meloni echoed that she was “sure” an agreement could be reached, emphasizing her mission to “make the West great again.”

Meloni, marking the first visit by a European leader to the U.S. since Trump imposed, then paused, a 20% tariff on EU imports, is looking to position herself as an essential intermediary between the U.S. and the EU amidst current tensions regarding trade policies. Following their discussions on defense expenditure, immigration, and tariffs in the Oval Office, the mood was noted as amicable and lighthearted—reminiscent of the recent visit from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Though Meloni’s aides characterized the visit as a “commercial peace mission” related to Trump’s 10% baseline tariff on foreign imports, the Italian Prime Minister previously deemed the tariffs “absolutely wrong,” warning that they could equally harm the EU and the U.S. While she may not have secured major concessions regarding tariffs, Meloni successfully extended an invitation for Trump to visit Rome where he could potentially meet other EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen.

This invitation represents a potential achievement for Meloni in repairing relations between the two parties, as she heads back to Europe bolstered by a growing reputation as a “Trump whisperer.” She is scheduled to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Rome the following day.

Displaying strategic alignment, Meloni effortlessly praised Trump and reflected on shared ideologies, including criticism of “woke ideology” and support for the fight against illegal immigration. “My goal is to make the West great again, and I think we can do it together,” she declared confidently.

In addition to her remarks on international relations, Meloni highlighted her government’s efforts in reducing inflation and enhancing employment in Italy, engaging Trump with a clever promotion of her accomplishments: “Forgive me if I promote my country, but you're a businessman and you understand me.”

The collaborative atmosphere allowed Meloni to bask in compliments from Trump, including praise for her firm stance on immigration. She appeared occasionally frustrated when pressed about Italy's defense spending. Meloni assured that her country would be ready to meet NATO’s requirement to allocate 2% of the GDP for defense spending, a demand that Trump has continually emphasized. Currently, Italy spends 1.49%, falling short of the threshold.

Italian opposition leader Carlo Calenda commented positively on Meloni’s visit, noting that she “stayed on track on Ukraine” while also persuading Trump to meet EU officials in Italy. He acknowledged Meloni's enhanced credibility in acting as a mediator between the U.S. and the EU, though he criticized her for endorsing Trump’s views on cultural issues.