Donald Trump and Georgia Meloni spoke the chances of a trade deal between the US and Europe as the Italian prime minister visited Washington.
“There will be a commercial deal, 100%,” Trump said, “But it will be an honest deal,” while Meloni said she was “sure” that they could reach an agreement, later adding that her goal is to “make the West Great.”
Meloni has been the first European leader to visit Washington since Trump imposed, after which a pause, 20% rates for imports from the block.
The couple enjoys good relations and the Italian leader hopes to position themselves as a bridge between the EU and the United States among destroyed relations and growing concerns about the global impact of Trump's tariffs.
At a press conference on Thursday after their conversation, leaders said they had discussed the costs of defense, immigration and tariffs.
The atmosphere in the oval office seemed calm and well -intentioned – similar to the acceptance of the UK's reception of Keyer Starmer, received during his visit to the White House in February.
However, Meloni's assistants had described the visit as a “commercial peace mission” after Trump's decision to impose a 10% base rate on almost all foreign US imports.
He categorically criticizes the European Union regarding trade, claiming that it has been “formed for a US screwing.” A 20% Tariff for Revenge for the EU has been temporarily suspended by July.
Meloni called the tariffs “absolutely wrong” and said they would eventually hurt the EU as much as the US.
Until she achieved tangible victories at the tariffs during the meeting, she convinced Trump to accept an invitation to visit Rome, which she said would be an occasion for him to meet with other European leaders.
Considering the EU -US relations fulfilled, Meloni will probably make it a significant profit, especially if Trump agrees to meet with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen during the visit.
Meloni will return to Europe with stronger powers like the so-called Trump whisper, something that will be strengthened when he meets US Vice President JD Vance in Rome tomorrow.
The Italian leader was careful to praise Trump and to align himself with the perspectives of the President of the United States.
In her statement after the meeting, she criticized the “awakened ideology” and supported the “war against illegal migration.”
“The goal for me is to do the West again great and I think we can do it together,” she added.
She also took advantage of the opportunity to utter the work of her own government. “I am proud to sit here as a Prime Minister of Italy, which today has a very good situation – a stable country, a reliable country,” Melono said.
She noted that her government had lowered inflation and improved employment before heading to Trump and adding with a broad smile: “Forgive me if I promote my country, but you are a businessman and you understand me.” Trump grinned back.
Meloni rose in praise that broke her from Trump – from compliments about her work as a Prime Minister to bump into her Italian sounding “beautiful”.
The US President praised Meloni for taking a difficult position on immigration and said he wanted more people to be like her. Meloni said the change happens thanks to the example designated by Italy, referring to yesterday's EU Message on Safe PartiesS
It was only from time to time that she showed a shade of irritation when he was asked about the low cost of Italy's defense.
Meloni said it expects Italy to announce at the next NATO meeting in June that its country will be able to meet the Union's requirement that every Member State spends 2% of GDP on defense.
Defense costs were a key adhesive moment for Trump, with the US leader repeatedly demanding NATO allies to increase costs.
Italy is one of the eight countries that do not currently meet the threshold of 2%, spending 1.49% on defense.
Italian opposition leader Carlo Calenda said there were “two very positive results” from the visit: that Meloni “remained on the way to Ukraine and managed to persuade Trump to meet with EU figures in Italy.”
The calenda said Meloni “gained credibility as a bridge between the US and the EU”, but criticized its praise for “Trump's struggle for awakening culture.”