Meloni Meets Trump to Navigate U.S.-EU Tensions Over Trade, Ukraine/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets with President Donald Trump in Washington, becoming the first European leader to hold direct talks with him since the announcement of aggressive new U.S. tariffs on EU exports. Meloni seeks to clarify Trump’s trade and defense demands while reinforcing Italy’s role as a key U.S. partner. Her visit comes amid growing concern over economic instability and diverging views on Ukraine.
Meloni-Trump Talks – Quick Look
- Meloni becomes the first EU leader to meet Trump since his new 20% tariff announcement.
- She’s seen as a potential diplomatic bridge between the European Union and the United States.
- Trade and defense spending top the agenda, with Ukraine support also in focus.
- Italy holds a $45 billion trade surplus with the U.S., its largest globally.
- EU seeks zero-for-zero tariff deal; Trump insists on a minimum 10% on imports.
- The White House paused EU tariffs for 90 days to allow for negotiations.
- Meloni previously attended Trump’s January inauguration, signaling diplomatic alignment.
- Italy’s economic outlook weakened due to tariff uncertainty, dropping growth to 0.5%.
- Trump has raised tariffs on China to 145% and imposed broad global trade levies.
- Experts say success for Meloni may lie more in diplomacy than concrete results.
Meloni Steps Into the Spotlight as U.S.-EU Bridge in Trump White House Visit
DEEP LOOKS
WASHINGTON (AP) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, assuming a pivotal role as the first European leader to engage directly with Trump since his administration imposed—and then temporarily suspended—20% tariffs on EU exports.
The meeting is a litmus test for Meloni’s ability to act as a diplomatic conduit between Europe and the U.S. at a time when transatlantic tensions are rising over trade, defense policy, and global conflicts.
Meloni coordinated closely with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen prior to the visit, with Brussels confirming that her outreach is part of a broader EU strategy to de-escalate the trade dispute and restore economic cooperation.
“We know we are in a difficult moment,” Meloni said earlier this week. “I am well aware of what I represent, and what I am defending.”
Trade Talks: Europe Seeks Clarity, Trump Demands Tariffs
The EU is advocating for a “zero-for-zero” tariff regime, aiming to eliminate trade barriers entirely. However, Trump has insisted on a 10% baseline tariff on all foreign imports and has shown little interest in backtracking.
Meloni is not in Washington as a formal negotiator but is expected to gain insight into Trump’s evolving demands, especially following recent meetings between EU officials and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
“It’s a very delicate mission,” said Fabian Zuleeg, chief economist at the European Policy Center. “She’s not officially negotiating, but in Trump’s world, an informal exchange is often the negotiation.”
Alignments and Divergences: Meloni and Trump’s Shared but Diverging Views
Meloni and Trump are closely aligned on immigration, cultural conservatism, and skepticism toward multilateral organizations like the UN and EU. However, their positions diverge sharply on Ukraine.
While Trump has expressed reluctance to continue military aid and called for peace negotiations, Meloni has remained one of Ukraine’s strongest backers in Europe. The two are expected to discuss Italy’s commitment to Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction and defense support.
Also on the agenda: NATO defense spending. Trump is expected to press Meloni to increase Italy’s military budget, which currently stands at 1.49% of GDP, below NATO’s 2% target.
Economic Stakes: Italy’s Trade Surplus and Tariff Exposure
Italy holds a €40 billion ($45 billion) trade surplus with the U.S., its largest such surplus globally. Key exports include:
- Luxury fashion and accessories
- High-end food and wine (e.g., Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosecco)
- Machinery and automotive components
These industries are largely powered by small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of Italy’s economy and a critical part of Meloni’s voter base.
“She’ll likely focus on preserving and even expanding Italy’s access to the U.S. market,” said Antonio Villafranca, vice president at Milan-based think tank ISPI. “There’s also potential for energy cooperation, including Italian imports of American LNG.”
U.S.-EU Trade War Looms
Trump’s trade strategy has caused concern across the EU. Despite temporarily pausing tariffs on European goods, the White House has hiked tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, while maintaining 25% duties on steel, autos, and aluminum from multiple nations, including Canada and Mexico.
Italy’s economic growth forecast for 2025 has already been cut in half, from 1% to 0.5%, largely due to trade uncertainty.
Photo Ops and Political Theater: A Diplomatic Tightrope
Meloni’s visit is not expected to yield formal agreements. Analysts view her goal as symbolic—maintaining dialogue, securing a photo-op with Trump, and gauging the U.S. administration’s direction.
“If she returns with insights into Washington’s strategy on trade, defense, and Ukraine, that alone would be a significant achievement,” said Wolfango Piccoli of Teneo consultancy.
Meloni has carefully calibrated her relationship with Trump, attending his inauguration in January—the only European leader to do so—while refraining from commenting on more controversial aspects of his presidency.
International Landscape: Japan and China Also in the Mix
Just one day before Meloni’s visit, Trump met with Japan’s top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, posting online that the talks made “Big progress!” though no specifics were provided.
Meanwhile, China is racing to finalize deals that could weaken Trump’s argument that his tariff policies are revitalizing U.S. industry—a claim still under scrutiny by economists.
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