Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump talked up the chances of cutting a tariff deal for the European Union, as Rome’s far-right leader led a charm offensive at the White House on Thursday.
“I’m sure we can make a deal, and I’m here to help with that,” Meloni told reporters as she began lunch with Trump in the Cabinet Room.
Trump said he “100 percent” believed Washington and Brussels could reach a deal but added it had to be a “fair deal.”
Meloni has criticised Trump’s “wrong” 20 per cent duties on EU exports – which he later suspended for 90 days – but has looked to maintain ties with the mercurial Trump despite the chaos caused by his tariffs.
Described by Trump as a “fantastic leader” who shares many of his conservative views, Meloni is the first European leader to meet with Trump since his trade war with the bloc began.
The Italian premier said she believed in “unity” despite the trade tensions, and added of the United States: “If I didn’t think it’s a reliable partner I wouldn’t be here.”
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