Trade Deal Potential Discussed: Trump and Meloni Meet in Washington

In a notable meeting in Washington, Trump asserted that a fair trade deal is inevitable, while Meloni demonstrated ambition to strengthen ties between the West.

During their meeting, Trump declared, "There will be a trade deal, 100%," emphasizing the need for fairness in the agreement. Prime Minister Meloni echoed his sentiments, expressing confidence in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement, stating that her goal was to "make the West great again." Meloni, marking her position as the first European leader to visit Washington post-Trump's 20% tariffs on EU imports, hopes to act as a mediator between the United States and the European Union amid rising tensions sparked by these economic measures.

Despite his assurance, Trump noted he is not in "a rush," asserting, "Everybody wants to make a deal," revealing his plan to negotiate with multiple nations in the coming weeks. The former president also hinted at a possible reduction in current tariffs on China, suggesting, "I may not want to go higher" to encourage purchases.

The tone of their Oval Office discussion was friendly, aligning with the warm reception received by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit earlier this year. However, Meloni's advisors referred to her visit as a "commercial peace mission," reflecting concerns regarding Trump's imposition of a 10% baseline tariff on most foreign imports.

Meloni has previously criticized these tariffs for their potential harm to the EU as well as the US, yet did manage to secure an invitation for Trump to visit Rome, an occasion she deemed a significant diplomatic achievement. This visit could set the stage for further discussions with other European leaders, including a possible meeting with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen.

Her efforts have seemingly positioned her as a reputable liaison, especially following her meeting with US Vice President JD Vance in Rome. In her remarks after the meeting, Meloni demonstrated alignment with Trump's views, denouncing "woke ideology," and supporting a crackdown on illegal migration.

Additionally, Meloni highlighted her government's accomplishments in stabilizing the Italian economy, reducing inflation, and boosting employment, playfully promoting Italy to Trump, who responded positively. Trump's commendation of her immigration policies further solidified her standing during the conversation, although she did show minor annoyance regarding Italy's defense spending, which currently falls short of NATO's 2% GDP target.

Italian opposition leader Carlo Calenda recognized two positive outcomes from the visit: Meloni's alignment with the US on Ukraine and securing Trump's proposed visit to Italy, thus enhancing her role as a credible bridge between the US and the EU, despite critical remarks on her praise for Trump's stance on cultural issues.