Trump and Meloni seek common ground on EU tariffs and Western unity

Friday 18 April 2025 - 09:05

By: Zahouani Ilham

Trump and Meloni seek common ground on EU tariffs and Western unity

During a high-profile meeting at the White House, US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni voiced optimism about reaching a new trade agreement between the United States and the European Union. The leaders, both known for their conservative stances, discussed economic cooperation amid ongoing global financial uncertainty.

Meloni, who portrays herself as a bridge between the EU and Trump, emphasized her desire to ease tensions sparked by his previous tariff policies. Echoing Trump’s 2016 campaign slogan, she called for efforts to “make the West great again.” Trump confidently stated that a trade agreement with the EU was inevitable, while Meloni expressed firm belief in a positive outcome.

Their meeting, marked by a warm and friendly tone, included a working lunch and talks in the Oval Office. Trump praised Meloni as a “fantastic” leader and confirmed he would visit Rome soon, potentially to engage with other European leaders.

According to Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, EU leaders are increasingly relying on Meloni to effectively communicate the bloc’s interests to Trump. She is the first European leader to meet with him since he imposed 20 percent tariffs on EU exports, which are currently paused for 90 days.

Meloni stressed the importance of dialogue despite transatlantic disagreements. Highlighting shared views on immigration and cultural issues, she reinforced the idea of Western unity, saying, “I think we can do it together.”

Trump remained confident yet unhurried about finalizing a deal, noting, “Everybody wants to make a deal – and if they don’t, we’ll make one for them.”

Professor Federiga Bindi of the University of Rome noted that Meloni is navigating a complex political landscape, attempting to represent both Italy’s interests and the broader European agenda. She compared Meloni’s strategy to that of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who once leveraged close ties with US President George W. Bush. However, Bindi expressed doubt that Meloni could form a similar bond with Trump.

Trump also reiterated his criticisms of European immigration policy and NATO spending, urging European countries to “get smart.” On Ukraine, a sensitive issue, Trump reiterated his skepticism toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In contrast, Meloni has remained a firm supporter of Ukraine, recently condemning Russia’s attack on the city of Sumy.