The Oval Office negotiations regarding tariffs are intensifying. On Thursday, following a meeting with a Japanese delegation, President Trump welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is one of the few European leaders he favors due to her conservative and nationalist views, which some in the administration see as a potential model for Europe.
Prime Minister Meloni represents Italy, but her visit is also viewed as a representation of broader European interests. Nearly three months into Trump's presidency, he has not prioritized a meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, expressing skepticism about the European Union, which he has claimed was established to disadvantage the United States.
During their meeting, Trump assured Meloni that “there’ll be a trade deal, 100 percent” with the European Union before the conclusion of a 90-day pause on certain tariffs. Administration officials indicated that Meloni could serve as a bridge to other European nations. The discussions were set to commence with a formal lunch, which also included Vice President JD Vance, who has previously engaged with right-wing political movements in Europe.
Despite Trump's admiration for Meloni, Italy does not exemplify his ideal for trade or defense. The country maintains a $45 billion trade surplus with the United States, largely due to American demand for luxury Italian products. However, Italy has yet to meet the NATO commitment of spending at least two percent of its GDP on defense, currently falling short at under 1.5 percent.
The Japanese delegation departed the White House without reaching an agreement after discussing tariffs on automobiles and electronics. Trump noted that progress was being made in those discussions. Similarly, Meloni is not expected to finalize a deal during her visit, but the meetings are part of ongoing interactions with a leader who has the authority to adjust tariffs at his discretion.