Giorgia Meloni will try to hone her qualifications as a possible bridge between the EU and the US at a high-stakes summit with Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.
The Italian far-right prime minister, who fostered friendly relations with Trump, arrived in Washington on Wednesday night. The pair will have lunch at 12 pm local time before a meeting in the oval office. A pool of White House reporters and Italian journalists will be taking part.
“As you can imagine, I’m not under any pressure,” Meloni joked at an event in Rome this week. “It’s a difficult moment. Let’s see how the situation develops. But remember that we have the strength, abilities and intelligence to overcome obstacles.”
Trump imposed a 20% tariff on EU products before halting for 90 days. The EU will be subject to 10% tariffs imposed on most countries around the world from April 9th.
Before departing for Washington, Meloni discussed the summit with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz and his successor Friedrich Merz also discussed the meeting with Meloni. Politics. Skolts failed to take a meeting with Trump, but Meltz’s request is reportedly pending.
Meloni describes Trump’s tariffs on EU goods as “wrong,” but the prime minister appears to be taking a more careful approach to manage the delicate balance between Trump and more political ideals with Italy’s role within the EU.
The conference has sparked fear among some of Italy’s European allies, and Meloni’s domestic opposition fears that their intimacy is putting Bloc’s unified approach to tariffs and other issues at stake.
Enrico Borgi, a politician for the central Italian Viva party, told a TV talk show: “The advice from the opposition is that the Prime Minister returns home with resuming negotiations between the US and the EU, and has been undermined by a realistic trade war by ensuring a relative tranquility to our economic and productive systems.”
Italy is the third largest exporter from the EU to the US, but Meloni’s office has denied seeking special tariff exemptions on Italian products. Italy has strong economic ties with the United States, which exceeds exports, including foreign direct investment.
The summit is also expected to address Trump’s demands that NATO partners increase military spending to 2% of GDP. Italy currently has its share of 1.49%, the lowest in Europe.
This is Meloni’s third visit to the White House, and will be made two advances during the Joe Biden administration.
Meloni will return to Rome on Friday to meet Trump’s agent JD Vance.
Vance will also meet Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, during his Easter weekend visit.
