Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in the midst of a tense trade dispute between the European Union and the U.S. Meloni’s visit makes her the first European leader to meet with Trump since he imposed tariffs on European imports. Trump has shown admiration for Meloni, who leads the right-wing Brothers of Italy party which has gained popularity in Europe. The meeting between the two leaders comes as concerns about a full-blown trade war between the U.S. and the EU loom large.
In April, Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on all EU imports, but later reduced the duty to 10% for 90 days to allow for negotiations on a trade deal. The EU, in turn, paused retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, hoping for a compromise through negotiations. Meloni’s meeting with Trump is seen as an opportunity to ease tensions and find common ground on trade issues. Italy, with a significant trade surplus with the U.S., stands to benefit from an EU-U.S. trade deal.
Meloni has been dubbed a “Trump whisperer” for her ability to navigate discussions with the U.S. president, and her role in mediating trade talks is crucial for Italy and the EU. She has expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs on Italian exports, particularly in the food and drink sector. The potential consequences of a full-blown trade war could significantly impact Italy’s economy, making it essential to find a resolution through dialogue and negotiation.
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