Overview

• Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is meeting President Donald Trump during a 90-day suspension of proposed 20% tariffs on EU exports, aiming to secure exemptions for Italy and the EU.
• The U.S. maintains a 10% minimum tariff on EU goods, alongside 25% duties on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, creating significant pressure on Italy, which sends over 10% of its exports to the U.S.
• Meloni’s outreach, though welcomed by the European Commission, highlights the tension between Italy’s bilateral diplomacy and the EU's exclusive authority over trade negotiations.
• European leaders express skepticism about Meloni’s ability to influence Trump, who has refused to engage with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on trade matters.
• The visit underscores Italy’s balancing act between maintaining EU unity and protecting its export-driven economy, with Meloni emphasizing her role as a potential bridge between Trump and the EU.