The trilateral at Palazzo Chigi

Meloni receives Vance and von der Leyen. US Vice President: I hope this is the start of US-EU trade negotiations

Council President: I hope today can be a new beginning

18 May 2025

Meloni lo introduce in italiano, Vance: "Anche mi avesse detto scemo, suonerebbe bene"

3' min read

Meeting at Palazzo Chigi between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, US Vice President, J.D. Vance and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "I think we will have a very good conversation and hopefully this will be the beginning of long-term trade negotiations for long-term trade benefits between the US and the EU," Vance said in the opening, open-to-the-press phase of the meeting that lasted about an hour. A wish also expressed by Meloni: 'I hope that today can be a first meeting and a new beginning'.

Von der Leyen: confident that with the US we will find a solution

At the end of the meeting, on social media, von der Leyen said she was 'happy to see Vice-President JD Vance again. It was necessary. And it was good. We found a lot of common ground, which is natural for strong partners like us. As far as trade is concerned, we both want a good deal that benefits people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. Our teams are working around the clock to find solutions. We are confident that we will succeed'. She went on to thank Meloni for hosting the meeting.

The Italian Prime Minister began by thanking JD Vance and von der Leyen 'for accepting the invitation. A month ago in Washington I had proposed a meeting to President Trump, I am very proud to host two of the leaders of the EU and the US to start a dialogue'. And he emphasised: 'There are matters that are the responsibility of the European Commission. Italy's role is to help the dialogue'.

Vance: good Meloni bridge between EU and US

'I look forward to this conversation,' US Vice President JD Vance said at the opening of the trilateral. One of the things that Prime Minister Meloni has offered to do and obviously the president and I have been happy to accept is really to be a bridge-builder between Europe and the United States'.

'As I have said repeatedly,' Vance emphasised, 'Europe is an important ally of the US, the individual European states are important allies of the US: but of course there are things we disagree on, as often happens between friends, on issues like trade for example, but there are also many things we agree on and can work together on.

Von der Leyen: US and EU want good trade deal

We have a very special and close relationship with the US,' von der Leyen said. 'Looking at trade, we have the largest trade relationship in the world, with over USD 1.5 trillion a year, we are very close, we have exchanged papers that our experts are studying in depth, discussing the details. Everyone knows that the devil is in the details, but what unites us is that together we want a good deal for both sides'.

Meloni: constructive comparison with Vance and von der Leyen

"A constructive discussion today at Palazzo Chigi with US Vice President J.D. Vance and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Italy intends to play its part in relaunching the dialogue between the European Union and the United States: two realities called upon to face the great global challenges together". Prime Minister Meloni affirmed this on social media. 'Freedom, democracy and the centrality of the person are the common values on which to build a safer, more prosperous and stable future,' she added. 'Proud of this step forward for the unity of the West.