Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in reaching an agreement on trade tariffs during a meeting at the White House on Thursday.
“I am sure that an agreement can be reached,” Meloni said, responding to a question on reciprocal tariffs. “We can find common ground. I am not in favour of Western nationalism, but we can both emerge stronger. We want to strengthen both sides of the Atlantic. I think we need to talk frankly and meet halfway.”
Meloni also extended an invitation to President Trump to visit Italy. “I would like to invite President Trump to make an official visit to our country and we would like to organise a meeting with Europe,” she added.
Trump echoed her optimism on reaching an agreement of trade tariffs ahead of their bilateral talks. “There will be no problems in making an agreement with the EU on tariffs, there will be no problems with anyone,” he said. The US president also said that a “good deal” would be made with China on tariffs.
During the Oval Office meeting, Meloni said Trump had agreed to visit Rome and that he was open to meeting European officials during his stay. “Trump will consider meeting Europe,” she confirmed. “I thank him for accepting the invitation for an official visit to Rome in the near future.”
Trump says he didn’t call Europeans ‘freeloaders’
In response to a question from an Italian journalist, Trump denied ever calling Europeans “freeloaders”, a term previously used by his Vice President JD Vance and television host Pete Hegseth. Meloni also stated that the president had not used the term, noting that others had said it and Trump had only agreed.
On the subject of space cooperation, Meloni clarified that they had not discussed Elon Musk’s Starlink project but had talked about defence and joint efforts in space exploration. “We didn’t talk about Starlink, we talked about defence, about space. We will work together for the missions to Mars,” she said.
Vice Pesident Vance in Rome
Following the Washington talks, Vice President JD Vance arrived in Rome on Friday with his wife, Usha Vance, and their children. He is expected to meet Premier Meloni at Palazzo Chigi and will also hold talks with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Trump praised Italy as one of the United States’ closest allies and expressed strong support for Meloni’s leadership. “Italy can be the best ally of the United States if Meloni remains prime minister,” he said.
“She is a fantastic person, and she is doing a great job and our relationship is great. Italy is one of our closest allies not only in Europe. We have many Italians in this country and they like Trump.”
