Overview

• Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is en route to Washington for a pivotal meeting with President Donald Trump to address U.S. tariffs on EU goods.
• Meloni aims to promote a 'zero-for-zero' industrial tariff agreement, a proposal coordinated with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
• Her visit underscores Italy's €40 billion trade surplus with the U.S., placing significant pressure on Meloni to protect Italian exporters from economic harm.
• European leaders are divided over her solo negotiations, with concerns about undermining EU solidarity, though Brussels has tacitly endorsed her outreach.
• Following the White House meeting, Meloni will host U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Rome, reinforcing Italy’s central role in U.S.–EU relations.