Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy has visited President-elect Donald J. Trump at Mar-a-Lago for an informal meeting, according to three sources familiar with the trip.
This visit occurs shortly before Ms. Meloni is scheduled to host President Biden in Rome for an official visit from January 9 to 12, which will include meetings at the Vatican.
Ms. Meloni and Mr. Trump have previously expressed mutual appreciation, and her visit marks one of the first by a foreign leader to the president-elect’s estate in Florida since his election. This meeting is seen as a potential step toward establishing Ms. Meloni as Mr. Trump’s key ally in Europe, particularly in mediating tensions with other European leaders.
Mr. Trump has voiced intentions that could lead to a trade war with Europe and has indicated a willingness to reduce American support for certain NATO countries and for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. The specific agenda for the meeting remained unclear, but discussions on these issues were anticipated.
Additionally, observers noted that the detention of prominent Italian reporter Cecilia Sala in Iran might be a topic of discussion. This incident followed Italy's arrest of an Iranian suspect linked to drone component supplies for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, amidst a pattern of Iran detaining foreigners for leverage.
One source indicated that Ms. Meloni had actively pursued this meeting. Furthermore, she has cultivated a positive relationship with Elon Musk, which her supporters believe could enhance her international stature once Mr. Trump assumes the presidency.
Since his election, Mr. Trump has also hosted other leaders at Mar-a-Lago, including Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary and Argentina’s president, Javier Milei. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada was the first Group of Seven leader to visit Mr. Trump in Florida following a tariff threat directed at Canada.