Italy strengthens ties with U.S. as Trump maintains tariff stance
- Tariffs are making us rich - Donald Trump said on Thursday during a meeting with Giorgia Meloni. The U.S. President added that the conversation with the Italian Prime Minister did not change his opinion on the matter.
What do you need to know?
- Donald Trump met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office, where trade issues were discussed.
- Trump emphasized that tariffs are beneficial for the U.S. and that the conversation with Meloni did not change his opinion.
- Meloni announced an increase in LNG gas imports from the U.S. and cooperation in nuclear energy.
What are the prospects for a trade agreement with the EU?
After the meeting with the Italian Prime Minister, Donald Trump was asked whether the conversation with Meloni changed his opinion and outlook on the issue of tariffs. - No, tariffs make us rich. We were losing a lot of money under Biden, trillions of dollars, trillions on trade, and now all that tide has turned. We are making a lot of money - Trump replied, sitting next to Meloni in the Oval Office.
Although trade negotiations and an agreement with the European Union were supposed to be the main topics of talks with the Italian Prime Minister, Trump stated that they did not spend much time discussing this issue. Nevertheless, at the beginning of the meeting, he assured that he would reach an agreement with Europe.
- Oh, there'll be trade deal, 100%. What, you think there won't be ... of course there will be a trade deal. Very much they want to make one, very, very much. And we're going to make a trade deal. I fully expect it, but it'll be a fair deal - Trump said.
During the meeting in the Oval Office, he assessed that other countries want this agreement more than he does.
Trump on Meloni: One of the true leaders in the world
Before Meloni's visit, her ministers announced that she would be an intermediary in trade talks between the U.S. and the EU, taking advantage of her good relations with the U.S. President. During the meeting, Meloni announced that Italy will increase LNG gas imports from America, which is one of Washington's demands, and also that she hopes for cooperation in nuclear energy.
She also said that Trump accepted her invitation to visit Rome in the near future.
Trump praised the head of the Italian government, calling her "one of the true leaders of the world." Meloni, meanwhile, emphasized that she and Trump are fighting against "woke" ideology and illegal immigration. However, when Trump later said that he was "not a big fan of Europe" when it comes to immigration approach, Meloni assured him that the thinking in Europe on this topic is changing.
Meloni on meeting with Trump
"A fair and constructive discussion on strategic topics: from security to defence, from combating illegal immigration to trade relations" - Italian Prime Minister summarized her meeting with Trump on her profile on platform X.
"Italy is increasingly playing an important role on the rapidly changing international stage. And today, also thanks to the work done in these years, our point of view is listened to and respected" - Meloni assessed.
"The ties between Italy and the United States remain strong, vital, and decisive, to face the great global challenges together" - the Prime Minister emphasized.
