1 day Ago By [email protected] (Austin Williams)
President Donald Trump met with the Italian Prime Minister on Thursday. Trump and Meloni talked about trade and NATO defense spending. Trump met with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni at the White House on Thursday.
Meloni pushed for relief on U.S. tariffs, but Trump stood firm, calling them "a source of wealth.
" The two leaders also discussed Ukraine, NATO defense spending, and U.S.-EU trade tensions.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump hosted Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni at the White House on Thursday, where the two discussed tariffs, defense, and the future of transatlantic relations—but their warm rapport did little to shift Trump’s position on trade. Meloni arrived hoping to ease tensions over U.S.
tariffs that have rattled European economies, including Italy’s. But Trump made clear that he views tariffs not as a bargaining chip, but as a tool to enrich the United States. The backstory: Despite their ideological alignment, Meloni was unable to persuade Trump to back off his tariff agenda.
"No, tariffs are making us rich," Trump told reporters after the meeting. "We were losing a lot of money under Biden. And now that whole tide is turned.
" While Meloni emphasized the importance of resolving trade disputes—calling the U.S. and Europe "natural allies"—Trump reiterated that he was "in no rush" to cut deals.
"We’re in no rush," he said. "Other countries want to make deals more than I do." Meloni framed her visit as a moment to "try to sit down and find solutions" to the growing trade friction, warning that "dividing the West would be disastrous for everyone.
" Dig deeper: Meloni has become a key player in managing the EU’s relationship with the White House. Though not an official emissary, her visit was widely seen as an informal bridge between Brussels and Washington. Her pitch came at a moment when the EU is defending what it calls "the most important commercial relationship in the world," with annual trade between Europe and the U.
S. valued at roughly $1.8 trillion.
Italy, which holds a $45 billion trade surplus with the U.S., has much at stake.
Italian exports of wine, specialty cheeses, and fashion goods are largely driven by small- and medium-sized producers—many of them traditional center-right voters in Meloni’s base. US President Donald Trump meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 17, 2025. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) But Meloni left the White House with no clear concessions.
Trump signaled that his administration still sees tariffs as a viable path to leverage, not just negotiation. What they're saying: Meloni and Trump also discussed Ukraine, where the two leaders diverge more significantly. Trump has previously pressed Italy to increase its defense spending under NATO guidelines.
"We didn’t speak about how much that percentage would be increased, even though we are truly aware that the theme of defense is particularly important," Meloni said. Italy’s military spending remains below NATO’s 2% of GDP target, sitting at 1.49%.
Still, Meloni is seen by some in the administration as a vital diplomatic link to Europe. She was the only European head of state to attend Trump’s inauguration and has responded cautiously to U.S.
policy shifts under his leadership. What's next: European officials are continuing trade discussions with Trump administration figures. EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met earlier this week with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.
S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Šefčovič said it will "require a significant joint effort" to reduce tariffs and resolve structural issues, noting the administration’s objections to Europe’s value-added tax system, the AP reported.
Meloni’s visit underscores the difficulty in navigating the evolving trade landscape—especially as Trump doubles down on tariffs. Despite the 90-day pause announced for EU import taxes, the administration has sharply raised tariffs on Chinese goods, while maintaining steep rates on steel, autos, and aluminum from allies. The Source: This report is based entirely on an article published by the Associated Press on April 17, 2025, written by Josh Boak and Colleen Barry.
This story was reported from Los Angeles..
