Italy and Europe are holding their breath. The meeting between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Donald Trump at the White House feels like a high-stakes gamble. At the center of the dialogue: the controversial US tariffs on European Union goods, temporarily suspended for all but China. Meloni is backed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as the negotiation represents a broader European concern.
A first in Washington
As of this writing, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. She will be staying at Blair House, the official guest residence for foreign dignitaries visiting the White House.
According to protocol, Meloni will join Trump at 12:05 p.m. (6:05 p.m. Rome time) for a private lunch in the Cabinet Room, followed by a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office an hour later. No joint press conference is scheduled. This marks the first official meeting between a European leader and Trump since his aggressive tariff stance, declared on April 2 and dubbed “Liberation Day.”
Italy’s goals
Italy’s top priority is to return to Europe with a deal for zero tariffs on both sides, particularly concerning automobiles and advanced manufacturing. In exchange, analysts predict the US may ask Italy to increase its purchases of American liquefied natural gas and defense equipment. But Trump remains unpredictable.
Meloni departed Rome fully aware of the challenging diplomatic terrain ahead. “We are entering a phase that is both complex and rapidly evolving, requiring clear thinking and pragmatic action,” she stated in a message to the General Assembly of the Grana Padano Consortium.
More than tariffs on the table
Beyond tariffs, the bilateral meeting will touch on other critical issues, including the Middle East and Ukraine. Trump is expected to renew his push for Italy to allocate 5% of its GDP to NATO defense spending. Italy recently raised its defense budget to 2%, and due to its public debt, it cannot go much further.
The New York Times perspective
According to the New York Times, there has been speculation that Meloni might adopt an “Italy-first” approach, potentially cutting side deals and undermining EU unity. However, the paper also cites multiple diplomats and officials who dismiss that scenario, pointing out that Meloni has recently established herself as a cooperative player on the European stage.
Everyone wants Trump
“All countries, including China, want to meet with us! Today, Italy,” wrote Donald Trump on Truth Social just hours before his meeting with Giorgia Meloni. “I had a very productive call yesterday with the president of Mexico,” he added, referencing ongoing tariff negotiations. He also met with Japanese officials the same day. These are hectic times on the international stage.
Round-trip diplomacy
Immediately after her talks with Trump, Meloni will return to Italy, where she is scheduled to meet with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who will be in Rome starting April 18. While in Italy, Vance will also meet with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.