Meloni, who saw herself as the only European who could lower Trump’s trade war, emphasized their conservative commonality and said she wanted to “make the West great again.”
“A 100% trade deal will be reached,” Trump said during his visit. Meloney said she was “confirmed” that they could reach an agreement.
The enthusiasm of the two leaders at work lunches and meetings in the Oval Office was stimulated, with Trump calling the 48-year-old Italian prime minister “awesome.”
Meloni is the first European leader to visit Republicans as he hits tariffs on EU exports of 20% and has been suspended for 90 days since.
The Italian leader said Trump had accepted an invitation to visit Rome in the “near future” and that he might also meet European leaders there.”Even if we have some problems between the two shores of the Atlantic, it is the time that we try to sit down and find solutions,” she said.Meloni highlighted their shared views on immigration and “woke” ideaology and added: “The goal for me is to make the West great again, and I think we can do it together.”
“Be smart”
But while Trump expressed confidence in the eventual deal with the G27, he accused him of trying to “twist” the United States, he said he was “not rushing”.
“Everyone wants to make an agreement – if they don’t want to make an agreement, we’ll make an agreement for them,” Trump added.
Trump also returned to the administration’s familiar criticism of Europe, saying it needed to “make immigration” “smart” and increase NATO’s defense spending.
The U.S. leader said separately that superpower rival China has “reached out” possible deals to end a painful trade war between the world’s largest economies.
After Trump announced his global “Liberation Day” tariffs on April 2, tariffs on Chinese goods reached 145%.
“I think we will make a lot of money with China,” he added.
Meanwhile, Russia’s war in Ukraine remains a sensitive theme between the U.S. and Italian leaders.
Meloni has been a staunch ally of Ukraine and president of Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently called Moscow a “terrible and evil” palm attack on the city of Sumy on Sunday.
However, Trump shocked his allies, revealed on Moscow’s hub and repeatedly attacked Zelensky, who accused Zelensky at an Oval Office meeting in February.
The U.S. leader and Meloni said next to him: “I don’t let Zelensky take charge, but I’m not very excited about the fact that the war began.” He added that he was not a “not a loyal fan” of the Ukrainians.
uncertain
Meloni earlier admitted the uncertainty of the repeated blows in Europe as Europe was involved in a recurring blow that had been a continental defender for decades.
“I know my representatives, I know my defense,” Meloney said Tuesday.
Italian newspapers reported that one of the goals of Meloni’s visit was to pave the way for Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to meet.
Meloni’s decision to plea with Trump in person has made some disturbing EU allies who fear that her visit could undermine unity.
French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci warned last week: “If we start bilateral discussions, it will obviously break the current dynamics.”
A spokeswoman for the European Commission said that while the EU alone could negotiate a trade agreement, Meloni’s “outreach was very welcome” and coordinated with Brussels.
Meloni will fly back to Rome on Friday in time to host U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who plans to have a meeting with her.
Trump’s threatened tariffs could have a significant impact on Italy, the world’s fourth-largest exporter, who sent 10% of its exports to the United States.
