Overview
- Giorgia Meloni became the first EU leader to visit the White House since President Trump announced new tariffs on EU exports, which were temporarily suspended for 90 days.
- Both leaders expressed confidence in reaching a tariff agreement, with Trump claiming he is “100% sure” of a deal and Meloni calling the U.S. a “reliable partner.”
- Meloni clarified she lacked an official EU mandate to negotiate but maintained close coordination with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of formal EU–U.S. talks.
- Italy, which sends over 10% of its exports to the U.S., faces significant economic risks from the tariffs, particularly in key sectors like machinery, fashion, and agro-food.
- The meeting underscores tensions between U.S. protectionist policies and EU unity, as Meloni seeks to balance Italy’s national interests with broader European solidarity.