In a meeting marked by smiles, strong words, and strategic maneuvering, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni became the first European leader to visit Washington since U.S. President Donald Trump rocked global markets with sweeping tariffs. But instead of tension, the two leaders struck a surprisingly optimistic tone—talking trade, tariffs, and a shared vision for a stronger West.
“There will be a trade deal, 100%,” Trump said confidently during a press conference before quickly adding, “But it will be a fair deal.” Meloni echoed his optimism, saying she was “sure” they could come to terms—and even dropped a catchphrase of her own: “The goal is to make the West great again.”
Though no major agreements were signed, the visit marked a potential turning point in transatlantic relations, with Meloni working to position herself as a vital bridge between a skeptical Europe and a resurgent America under Trump.
Behind the smiles, however, were high stakes. Trump’s recent move to slap a 10% baseline tariff on nearly all foreign imports—including a paused 20% tariff on EU goods—has left Europe on edge. Meloni, calling the tariffs “absolutely wrong,” came to Washington on what her team described as a “commercial peace mission.”
Trump, for his part, showed little urgency to back down, saying he was in “no rush” to strike deals. “Everybody wants to make a deal,” he said. “And if they don’t—we’ll make the deal for them.”
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Still, he hinted at a softer stance toward China, saying he might ease tariffs—currently at a staggering 145%—to avoid hurting American consumers. “At a certain point, people just won’t buy,” Trump said.
The meeting also covered immigration, defense spending, and broader geopolitical concerns. Meloni used the opportunity to align herself closely with Trump on hot-button issues. She slammed “woke ideology,” championed hardline immigration policies, and boasted about Italy’s stability and economic progress under her leadership. “Forgive me for promoting my country,” she quipped to Trump, flashing a grin. “But you’re a businessman—you understand.”
Trump, clearly charmed, praised Meloni’s leadership and said he wished more global leaders were like her.
While Meloni didn’t return home with a formal tariff agreement, she did score one major symbolic win: Trump agreed to visit Rome, where she hopes he’ll meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders. If successful, the move could help thaw strained EU-U.S. ties and bolster Meloni’s image as the “Trump whisperer” of Europe.
Tomorrow, she’ll double down on that role when she hosts U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Rome—further cementing her standing as a key player in the future of transatlantic diplomacy.
