Trump Eyes US-EU Summit Amid Vance-Meloni Tariff Talks in Rome/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. Vice President JD Vance continued high-level talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday in Rome, discussing trade tensions and hinting at broader U.S.-Europe discussions. The White House revealed that President Donald Trump may visit Italy soon and is considering a full-scale U.S.-EU summit during the trip.
Vance in Rome – Quick Look
- VP JD Vance met with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni for a second day of tariff negotiations.
- Trump may visit Italy “very soon”, with a U.S.-Europe summit under discussion.
- Meloni positioned herself as a bridge between Trump’s White House and the EU.
- Trade tensions remain, despite a temporary tariff pause.
- Vance visited the Vatican, attending Good Friday Mass amid past clashes with Pope Francis.
Vance Continues Italy Visit as Trump Floats US-Europe Summit During Upcoming Trip
Deep Looks
ROME (April 18, 2025) — Vice President JD Vance wrapped up a second day of high-profile talks in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday, as the White House signaled that President Donald Trump is planning a visit to Italy in the near future — one that may include a full U.S.-Europe summit.
In a lighthearted exchange at the entrance to Chigi Palace, Meloni welcomed Vance with a quip: “I’ve been missing you.” The two had met just one day earlier at the White House, where Trump praised Meloni’s immigration policies but held firm on new tariffs that have sparked anxiety across Europe.
A joint U.S.-Italy statement released Friday said Trump’s visit is imminent and that there is “consideration to hold, on such occasion, a meeting between U.S. and Europe.”
Meloni Navigates a Complex Role
Meloni, who leads Italy’s far-right Brothers of Italy party, has taken on a unique role as a bridge between the Trump administration and EU allies. She remains aligned with Trump on issues like migration and conservative social values but has strongly supported Ukraine — a stance not fully shared by Trump.
She expressed hope that Friday’s talks would “serve to strengthen a longstanding friendship,” adding, “There is a privileged relationship between us of which I am very proud.”
While Trump has dialed back some of his proposed 20% EU tariffs, opting instead for a temporary 90-day pause and a 10% baseline rate, he reiterated Thursday that he is in “no rush” to finalize trade deals.
Vance Talks Trade, Jokes with Meloni
Vance affirmed the U.S.-Italy alliance and said he had “interesting” updates on Russia-Ukraine negotiations to share. “Big trade negotiations” were also ongoing, he noted.
Clearly charmed by Meloni’s Italian, Vance joked: “Of course, she could have called me a jerk and I wouldn’t know, but it would be in the most beautiful language imaginable, so I wouldn’t even get offended.”
Vatican Visit Amid Past Tensions
Later Friday, Vance and his family attended Good Friday Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, as the vice president continued his diplomatic tour with religious and cultural engagements.
While a meeting with Pope Francis was not scheduled, Vance is slated to sit down with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, over the weekend.
Pope Francis, recovering from a serious case of double pneumonia, was absent from the Good Friday liturgy, and the Vatican has not confirmed his participation in the upcoming Easter celebrations.
In a social media post, Vance wrote:
“I’m grateful every day for this job, but particularly today where my official duties have brought me to Rome on Good Friday. I wish all Christians all over the world, but particularly those back home in the US, a blessed Good Friday.”
Ongoing Rift with the Pontiff
Vance’s visit to the Vatican comes amid a continuing theological and political rift with Pope Francis. The pope has strongly condemned Trump’s immigration policies, particularly the plan to deport millions of undocumented migrants.
Just before his hospitalization earlier this year, Francis issued a letter to U.S. bishops warning that such policies undermine human dignity. The message appeared to directly rebut Vance, who has cited Catholic doctrine in defense of the administration’s actions.
Vance has acknowledged the pope’s criticism but says he stands by his views.
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