In a recent meeting in Washington, US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed optimism about the prospect of establishing a significant trade deal between the United States and Europe. During their discussions, Trump stated, "I think we can make a deal," echoing a sentiment shared by Meloni, who conveyed her confidence in reaching an agreement that would benefit both parties.

Meloni, marking her position as the first European leader to visit the White House since Trump implemented a 20% tariff on European importsonly to pause it laterreported feeling encouraged about the future of US-Italy relations. The Italian Prime Minister's visit, characterized as a "commercial peace mission" by her aides, comes amidst growing concerns regarding the global ramifications of Trump's tariffs and his often contentious relationship with the European Union (EU).

Trump asserted, "There will be a trade deal, 100%, but it will be a fair deal." Meloni aligned herself with this optimistic outlook, stating she is "sure" they can find a middle ground, later emphasizing her goal to "make the West great again." This phrase resonates with Trump's America First policy, indicating a shared vision for stronger collaborations between the two nations.

While Trump expressed confidence in the negotiations, he also mentioned that he was in no hurry to finalize a deal. "Everybody wants to make a deal. And if they don't want to make a deal, we'll make the deal for them," he remarked. Trump revealed his plans to engage in negotiations with various countries over the next few weeks, although he appeared hesitant to escalate the current tariffs on China, which currently stand at 145%. He noted the importance of maintaining an attractive market for buyers, indicating a potential shift in his approach to tariffs.

During a joint press conference following their talks, Trump and Meloni addressed several critical issues, including defense spending, immigration, and tariffs. The atmosphere in the Oval Office was reportedly congenial, mirroring the warmth shown to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit in February, indicating a level of comfort between the leaders.

Despite the upbeat tone of their meeting, Meloni has previously condemned the tariffs as "absolutely wrong," highlighting the detrimental effects they could have on both the EU and the US economies. Although she did not secure any immediate concessions on tariffs during her visit, she successfully extended an invitation for Trump to visit Rome. This upcoming visit is seen as an opportunity for Trump to connect with other European leaders, which could further solidify Meloni's role as a bridge between the US and Europe amid strained diplomatic relations.

Meloni, often referred to as the "Trump whisperer," is likely to return to Europe with enhanced credentials following her discussions in Washington. She is scheduled to meet with US Vice President JD Vance in Rome, further reinforcing her position.

Throughout the meeting, Meloni remained careful to align herself with Trump's views, criticizing "woke ideology" and asserting her commitment to combating illegal immigration. In her closing remarks, she proudly highlighted the stability and economic progress of her government in Italy, stating, "I'm proud of sitting here as prime minister of an Italy that today has a very good situation - a stable country, a reliable country." With a smile directed at Trump, she added, "Forgive me if I promote my country, but you're a businessman and you understand me," to which Trump responded with a grin.