Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing trade tensions between the EU and the United States. The meeting comes after a first round of EU-US talks failed to shed light on the US president’s demands for resolving the tariff war, which has seen the imposition of hefty levies on European exports.
Meloni, a conservative nationalist who has forged a close relationship with Trump, has warned the European Union not to retaliate against the US in response to Trump’s tariff policies. Instead, she has called for direct negotiations with Washington to resolve the disputes. The tariffs in question are currently set at 25 percent on steel, aluminum, and cars, with a 10 percent tariff on all other exports from the EU. A 90-day pause in the tariff war has been put in place, but if talks fail, the US has indicated it may reinstate a 20 percent “reciprocal tariff” rate on EU goods.
During the first round of talks this week, EU negotiators expressed frustration, claiming that they were not presented with clear US demands. With the clock ticking on the tariff pause, officials are hoping that Meloni’s meeting with Trump will help clarify the US position and potentially pave the way for a resolution.
“We know we are in a difficult moment,” Meloni told a group of Italian business leaders ahead of her departure for Washington. “We have overcome far greater obstacles. We will do our best, as always,” she added, downplaying any pressure surrounding the high-stakes meeting.
Meloni has publicly supported the EU’s offer to remove all tariffs on industrial goods, provided the US reciprocates. However, diplomats briefed on the discussions have indicated that Washington has shown little interest in reducing its tariffs. The 10 percent tariff is now expected to remain permanent, further complicating efforts to reach an agreement.
Meloni’s close relationship with Trump has given her an advantage in navigating the talks, according to Stefano Stefanini, Italy’s former ambassador to NATO. “Meloni has an advantage on the EU mediators — she is talking to the decider,” Stefanini explained. He also suggested that Trump would likely press Europe to distance itself further from China, adding another layer of complexity to the trade negotiations. The US has already imposed significant tariffs on Chinese imports, and Europe’s softer stance has caused tension among member states.
While some EU diplomats have expressed concern over Meloni’s soft stance on retaliatory tariffs, others have acknowledged the value of her direct engagement with Trump. “We are aware that she has a relationship with Trump and that can be valuable,” said one diplomat, referring to Meloni’s unique position in the negotiations.
Lucio Malan, a senator from Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party, praised the prime minister for showing “courage” by engaging directly with Trump on a matter traditionally handled by Brussels. “It would have been simpler to stay home and say ‘after all, it’s EU business,’” Malan said. “But Meloni has chosen another way.”
As the meeting approaches, all eyes will be on Meloni’s approach to discussing the impact of US tariffs on Italy, a key EU member and one of the largest trading partners for the US. With $70 billion worth of merchandise imported from Italy last year, Trump has previously expressed his admiration for the country. According to Stefanini, “When you engage Trump on the basis of ‘national interest,’ that’s his favourite language.” He added that while Trump might not be quick to make concessions, framing the issue in terms of Italy’s national interests could lead to a more productive discussion.
The outcome of Meloni’s meeting with Trump could set the tone for future EU-US trade relations, particularly as Europe grapples with the prospect of further tariffs and the broader geopolitical implications of its relationship with both the US and China. As the world watches, the meeting could be a defining moment in the ongoing trade war, with both sides keen to resolve their differences while navigating complex political and economic landscapes.
