President Trump declared “there will be a trade deal, 100%” with Europe before a meeting Thursday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the first European leader to visit the White House since he paused planned tariffs last week.
The meeting comes just days after both the European Union and Trump paused respective tariffs for 90 days to allow time for negotiations.
The Italian Prime Minister has been dubbed the “Trump Whisperer” by the media, meeting with Trump before even EU Commission leader Ursula von der Leyen, who Trump has yet to schedule a meeting with 88 days into his presidency.
“I’m sure we can make a deal, and I am here to help with that,” Meloni said to the media prior to her lunch with Trump.
“I cannot lock this deal in the name of the European Union,” she added, per the New York Post. “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 organizing such a meeting with Europe.”
The White House sees Meloni as a possible bridge between Trump and the 27-member European bloc, who Trump has accused of trying “screw” the United States on trade, establishing what officials describe as a “bespoke” trade deal.
Aside from trade, another issue likely to be addressed in the meeting is NATO, with Trump likely to prod Meloni on Italy’s failure to hit the requisite 2% of GDP on defense spending agreed to decades ago.
Italy is currently one of eight countries failing to hit that benchmark, at only 1.5%, per The New York Times.
Meloni addressed this point, saying, “Europe, as you know, is committed to do more, is working on tools to allow and help the [NATO] member states in increasing the defense spending. And we are convinced that everyone has to do more.”
Administration officials indicated Trump will also pitch having Italy import more American energy as part of his broader goal to “unleash American energy exports to the rest of the world.”
In 2024, the United States trade deficit with the European Union stood at approximately $236 billion, with American manufacturers often competing against European products while facing higher tariffs and more restrictive regulations when exporting to EU markets.
Trump’s approach seeks to address these disparities through bilateral negotiations with key European partners.
Meloni’s visit carries particular significance as both leaders share common ground as populist conservatives who have emphasized national sovereignty and border security.
The Italian Prime Minister rose to power in 2022 as the country’s first female leader, campaigning on a platform that resonated with conservative voters concerned about immigration and traditional values.
The “Liberation Day” tariffs that Trump temporarily suspended included a 25% tariff on European luxury cars, steel, and aluminum, and a 20% levy on billions of dollars of European goods ranging from food products to machinery.
Following their discussions, Trump and Meloni are scheduled to hold a joint press conference in the Rose Garden, where further details about potential trade agreements and bilateral cooperation may be announced.
