Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, is in the United States to meet with Donald Trump, tasked with the delicate balance of advocating for European interests while maintaining a favorable relationship with the US president.
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The two leaders were scheduled to have lunch before engaging in bilateral discussions in the Oval Office at around 1 PM local time (5 PM GMT). As the first European leader to visit Washington since Trump imposed then paused a 20% tariff on the EU earlier this month, Meloni aims to persuade him of the advantages of a comprehensive "zero-for-zero" tariffs agreement for all EU member states.
Italy's economy is particularly sensitive to shifts in US trade policy, with approximately 10% of its exports—valued at around €67 billion (£57 billion; $76 billion)—going to the US, making it the country's third-largest non-EU trading partner. The tariffs recently announced by Trump prompted Italy to revise its growth forecast downward. "We know this is a challenging time," Meloni remarked prior to her trip. "We will do our utmost—I understand the responsibility I carry and what I'm defending." In this critical period, she is one of the European leaders best positioned to engage with Trump. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recognizes this and has been in regular communication with her leading up to the visit. Meloni and Trump share a strong rapport, with both previously offering praise for each other. Trump has labeled her a "fantastic woman" who has "really taken Europe by storm."
Ideologically, Meloni, who has led a right-wing coalition government since 2022, aligns more closely with Trump than some of her European counterparts. In a video address to a US conservative conference in February, she echoed several of Trump's key themes, criticizing mass immigration, "globalist elites," and "woke ideology." She was also the sole European leader present at Trump's inauguration in January and has largely refrained from openly criticizing his administration. Her sharpest critique came earlier this month when she described Trump's decision to implement a 20% tariff on the EU as "absolutely wrong," expressing concern that it would adversely affect the EU "as much as the US." Riccardo Alcaro from the Italian Institute for International Affairs noted that "Meloni has consistently argued that Europe shouldn't make decisions that put it at odds with the US and that it should adapt rather than resist."
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If the Trump administration remains steadfast on tariffs, she may agree to countermeasures, but she typically starts by opposing them. Ultimately, she believes the West's global significance is largely due to the US and that the West's dynamics revolve around it. Meloni's perspective is closer to that of many of Trump's key allies than to her fellow Europeans. Alcaro added, "She understands that Italy is strategically, politically, and economically subordinate to the EU, but she feels a genuine connection to MAGA Republicans." US Vice President JD Vance is set to visit Rome on Friday for Easter, where he will meet with Meloni and senior Vatican officials. Meloni's alignment with an administration that many in Europe find challenging has raised concerns among some European leaders that she may prioritize Italy's interests in private discussions with Trump. Last week, France's Industry Minister Marc Ferracci criticized "bilateral talks" and warned that Trump's strategy could "divide Europeans," prompting a backlash from Rome that necessitated a subsequent clarification from a French government spokesperson. The European Commission has shown confidence in Meloni's visit, stating that "any engagement with the US is very welcome." However, they also emphasized that the trip was being "closely coordinated" with the EU's institutions, reinforcing that trade policy is an EU-wide responsibility. The EU negotiates on behalf of all member states, meaning no single country can secure lower tariffs solely for its benefit. Meloni's team appears to be mindful of this, with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stating that she "isn't going to negotiate for Italy against Europe but is going to advocate for a unified European position." Ultimately, her mission may focus on conveying to Trump that the EU is eager for a zero-tariff agreement and willing to increase purchases from the US, particularly in defense and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Additionally, she might subtly communicate that Europe has no immediate plans to strike deals with China. "I'm not sure how public this will be, but I expect that there will be some anti-China rhetoric to incentivize the US administration," Riccardo Alcaro commented. Back in Italy, members of her party had already begun praising Meloni even before her departure to Washington. "This meeting showcases Giorgia Meloni's courage and stature," noted Brothers of Italy MP Augusta Montarulli, although Senator Giovanbattista Fazzolari warned that the trip could be "fraught with potential pitfalls." Center-left opposition parties seized the opportunity to criticize Meloni's closeness to the Trump administration.
"I suspect that upon her return, Meloni will be waving the Trump flag instead of Italy's or Europe's," lamented Peppe Provenzano of the Democratic Party (PD). "I hope to be proven wrong." At an awards ceremony in Rome on Tuesday, Meloni addressed a crowd of entrepreneurs and business leaders—those who would be most affected by Trump's tariffs. Looking forward to her discussions in Washington, she humorously remarked, "As you can imagine, I'm feeling absolutely no pressure.