Meloni at the White House

Trump: we will 100% do a deal with the EU on tariffs. PM: thank you for accepting our invitation to Rome

This is the first time for a European leader since the tariff offensive launched on 2 April by the US president on 'Liberation Day'.

by Redaction Rome

17 April 2025

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Meloni alla Casa Bianca, Trump: “È una grande persona”

3' min read

Key points

Trump: Meloni one of the world's true leaders
Meloni to Trump: solution is to meet halfway
US: Trump and Meloni have a "very special relationship"
"Very useful what Meloni can do for 2% at Nato"
"Italy will play important role in Ukraine reconstruction"

3' min read

"I thank you for accepting the invitation for an official visit to Rome in the near future". So said Premier Giorgia Meloni during joint statements in the Oval Office. US President Donald Trump "will consider whether to also meet Europe" during his visit to Rome, the premier added.

Meloni's visit was the first by a European leader to the White House since the tariff offensive launched on 2 April by the US president on Liberation Day. Trump said he was 'very confident' about a trade agreement with the EU. At 12 noon (6pm Italian time), the US president welcomed Meloni to the White House, with a brief meeting with the press. This was followed by lunch and the bilateral. Trump and Meloni talked about duties but the visit did not just focus on tariffs. Also on the agenda were the topics of defence, energy and how to increase cooperation in space.

Meloni: grazie a Trump per aver accettato invito a Roma

Meloni: Italian companies will invest 10 billion in the US

"Italy will have to increase energy imports, Italian companies will invest 10 billion" and this shows that "their economies are interconnected". So said the premier at the end of her meeting in the Oval Office with Donald Trump. And again: 'Italy will have to increase its imports of LNG and also on nuclear power, which we are developing, I think there can be room to work together'. "We did not talk about Starlink, we talked about defence, about space, we will work together for missions to Mars," Meloni added.

Trump: EU peace mission in Ukraine? Fine by me

"Peacekeeping missions are always welcome," said Donald Trump about the possibility of a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Asked whether Italy should also take part in it, the president replied 'it will be Italy's decision'.

Trump: Italy best ally in EU? If Meloni remains premier

"I like Giorgia Meloni very much, she is one of the true leaders of the world. An outstanding premier and she is doing an outstanding job in Italy," Donald Trump said as he welcomed the Italian premier to the White House. "Italy can be the best ally of the United States if Meloni remains premier," Trump then said in the Oval Office. He added: "She's a great person and she's doing a great job and our relationship is great. Italy is one of our closest allies not only in Europe. We have many Italians in this country and they like Trump."

Trump: we will 100% do a deal with the EU on duties

Trump assured that the deal with the EU on tariffs will be done 100 per cent. "There will be no problem making a deal with the EU on tariffs, there will be no problem with anybody," Trump later added before the bilateral began.

Meloni to Trump: solution is to meet halfway

"I think we have to talk frankly and be in the middle," Meloni said in her meeting with Donald Trump. Responding to a question about reciprocal tariffs between the US and the EU, she added: 'I am sure that an agreement can be reached. And again: 'I want to invite President Trump on an official visit to Italy and see if there is a possibility, when he comes, to organise a meeting with the EU'.

Meloni: at NATO summit we will announce 2% for defence

"Italy will announce at the next NATO summit that it will increase spending to 2 per cent as requested. Europe is committed to doing more, it is working on tools to enable and help member states to increase defence spending. We are convinced that everyone must do more,' said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the start of the meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump accoglie Giorgia Meloni alla Casa Bianca. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

U.S.: Trump and Meloni have a 'very special relationship'

Trump and Meloni have a 'very special relationship' and intend to cooperate on issues such as ending the war in Ukraine, a senior US executive said during a call on the Italian premier's White House visit. "On trade, President Trump is very clear: he wants fair policies and tariffs that provide access to international markets for American workers and industries. So, without anticipating the talks, the president will reiterate his expectations towards Italy and Europe, also on tax issues: for example, the Italian tax on digital services is seen as a measure that penalises American companies,' he added. And further: 'We hope that Prime Minister Meloni and President Trump can move the discussion forward, to arrive at a dialogue that reflects what the president has long advocated,' he added.

"Very useful what Meloni can do for 2% at Nato"

Defence spending will certainly be one of the topics of discussion between Trump and Meloni. This was said by a senior US executive during a call on the Italian premier's visit to the White House. Anything Meloni can do to reach the two per cent defence spending target, according to the executive, is "very necessary".

"Italy will play important role in Ukraine reconstruction"

And again: 'Our two countries will continue to work together to end the war in Ukraine. Italy will play an important role in reconstruction, but, like the other allies, it will have to fulfil its responsibility for the security of Europe in order to maintain peace'.