Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, marking her first face-to-face meeting with Trump since he announced, and later suspended, 20% tariffs on European exports. Meloni, as Italy’s leader, will also represent the European Union in these discussions, having closely coordinated with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the meeting.
Meloni acknowledged the significance of the moment, stating that she understands the responsibility she carries in defending Europe’s interests. The EU is focused on maintaining its strong trade relationship with the U.S., valued at 1.6 trillion euros ($1.8 trillion) annually, which they view as the most important commercial relationship in the world.
Trade talks are led by the European Commission, which seeks a zero-for-zero tariff deal with the U.S. However, Trump has not shown signs of backing down from his stance on imposing a 10% tariff on all foreign imports, though he recently paused a planned increase to 20% for 90 days. Meloni’s role is more about gaining clarity on Trump’s objectives rather than securing any major concessions, according to experts.
Fabian Zuleeg, chief economist at the European Policy Center, described the mission as delicate. Although Meloni is not formally negotiating, her informal discussions with Trump may be crucial for understanding the U.S. administration’s stance.
Meloni, who leads a far-right party, aligns with Trump on issues such as limiting migration, promoting traditional values, and skepticism toward multilateral institutions. However, their views diverge when it comes to support for Ukraine, with Meloni remaining steadfast in backing Ukraine despite shifts in U.S. policy under Trump. She has criticized the tariffs as harmful and warned that dividing the West would be disastrous for all parties involved.
Italy enjoys a significant trade surplus with the U.S., particularly in sectors like Italian sparkling wine, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Parma ham, and luxury fashion—industries vital to Italy’s economy. Meloni will likely emphasize these strong economic ties, as well as discuss potential increases in U.S. gas imports.
The meeting comes amid global economic uncertainty caused by ongoing tariff wars, with Italy’s growth forecast for the year already reduced from 1% to 0.5%. Meloni is also expected to address Trump’s demand that NATO partners increase military spending to 2% of GDP, noting that Italy’s contribution is currently one of the lowest in Europe at 1.49%.
While some experts caution against high expectations for immediate breakthroughs, they agree that the meeting will be significant if Meloni can return with a clearer understanding of the U.S. position on trade, defense, and Ukraine. If successful, this could be seen as a major win for both Italy and the EU.