Posted on 04/17/2025 6:24:57 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in Washington D.C. Thursday for talks with President Donald Trump and top administration officials at the White House. Her visit comes as her government tries to negotiate a new trade agreement between the two countries, in addition to doing some bidding for the European Union. Italy has a trade surplus, not a deficit, with the U.S.
"There will be a trade deal, 100 percent," Trump said Thursday. “Of course there will be a trade deal. They want to make one very much and we are going to make a trade deal, I fully expect it, but it will be a fair deal.”
"Well, I'm here exactly to make the West stronger. For I believe in the West unity. And I think simply, we have to talk and find ourselves in the best middle way to grow together. That's why I'm here. If I wouldn't think it's a reliable partner, I wouldn't be here," Meloni said. "I'm sure we can make a deal, and I'm here to help on that. I cannot lock this deal in the name of the European Union. My goal would be to invite President Trump to pay an official visit to Italy and understand if there's a possibility when it comes to organize also such a meeting with Europe. For I think the best way is that we simply speak frankly about the needs that every one of us has, and finding ourselves a needle. That's useful for all I.
Really somebody calls me such a Western nationalism. I don't know if it is the right word, but I'm sure that together, we are stronger. And I have to find a way. I'm here to find the best way to make us both stronger on the two shores of the Atlantic."
"Meloni’s priority is going to be the tariffs on European industrial goods – and she is believed to have a widespread mandate from Ursula von der Leyen to negotiate on behalf of the European Union," the White House pool report states.
"Ahead of her trip, Meloni told business leaders that she supported a European Commission proposal for zero tariffs between the US and the EU, and that she would propose that in Washington. Von der Leyen has endorsed a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the EU and the US, for example in a post on X last week. The plan calls for the reciprocal elimination of tariffs on existing industrial goods between the EU and the US. Other likely topics of the discussion will be China, Ukraine, defense spending, energy exports, and AI."
Two weeks ago Trump slapped reciprocal tariffs on the European Union as part his Liberation Day declaration from the Rose Garden.
On Wednesday trade leaders from Japan were at the White House for talks with Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
"Had a very productive call with the President of Mexico yesterday. Likewise, I met with the highest level Japanese Trade Representatives. It was a very productive meeting. Every Nation, including China, wants to meet! Today, Italy!" Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday morning.
Following yesterday’s meetings with Minister Ryosei Akazawa of Japan, I am glad that our discussions on trade are progressing in a highly satisfactory direction.
With many thanks to @POTUS for hosting our very productive talks and putting us on the path towards the best possible deal for the American people, we look forward to more positive conversations with our friends from Japan soon.— Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) April 17, 2025
Unlike leftist leaders in Europe, Meloni is a conservative populist who has leaned into Trump's style and governance. The view from POLITICO in Rome is this:
Giorgia Meloni finally has the chance to demonstrate that befriending the volatile occupant of the White House was worth the effort.
As she flies to Washington this week, the Italian prime minister will try to convince U.S. President Donald Trump not to impose new tariffs that would deliver a severe economic blow to Europe — and a potentially lethal one to Italian exporters.
Meloni’s personal engagement with Trump has set nerves jangling in other EU capitals. But as the bloc faces up to a potentially ruinous trade war, even her wariest counterparts are coming round to the idea that she may be the only European leader he is willing to listen to.
Good.
I may be 2nd generation from the boot, and it’s a beautiful place...but it ain’t home.
And Trump needs to get the best deal possible out of EVERY country...including Italy.
These people that worship the country of their descendants...why did those folks leave if it was so great?!
Answer...it wasn’t.
God Bless America and POTUS Trump...and The Great One (Ronald Reagan) wherever he is :)
Of course there will be deals. Deals are what Trump lives for. Democrats have gone so long without independent thinking, they cannot see this. They are like children with zero foresight, only reflexive fear reactions and rage.
gorgeous woman
...”volatile” occupant of the White House?
I spit on you, Politico Rome.
No tariffs on Lambos.
,,, or Berettas.
RE: gorgeous woman
I got good news.... Meloni is a single mom.
She was in a long-term relationship with Andrea Giambruno, a television presenter, and they have a daughter together. However, Meloni announced their separation in October 2023
Zero Zero is not Fair Trade. The US worker cannot be expected to compete against the slave wages paid in Europe. What about their lax labor and enviro laws? Wait, they don’t want our chemically sanitized chickens. What about those pharmaceuticals they keep charging us for.
Nope. Zero Zero may be equal but it ain’t fair. Only equal outcomes are fair.
YES! Save my tomatoes, guanciale and cheese!
:]
Trump's 10 percent baseline tariffs are here to stay, Hassett says
How is it I agree with you?
I spent 2-1/2 years (early 1978 through mid 1980) on the boot heel at San Vito AS - not far from the port city of Brindisi - where the Via Apia starts/ends.
It was gorgeous - I still miss the local Alimentari (corner store) and the Mom and Pop Ristoranti...
NOT ITALY...BUT A LOVELY, ERUDITE, PROFESSIONAL AND ...PLEASANT ITALIAN ...WOMAN.
I could not be more proud of an Italian...since I am an American-Italian...who helped her Mom prepare for her Citizen Exam...
I, so admire, Prime Minister Meloni.
Well it sounds like the media will have to put their 1929 Wall Street crash report back in the file cabinet.
She was clearly smitten with President Trump
Because I forgot to /s!
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