Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Discuss Tariffs with Trump in Washington

Giorgia Meloni, the right-wing Prime Minister of Italy, is set to visit Washington this Thursday for a crucial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, primarily focusing on the ongoing tariff dispute between the United States and the European Union. As news agencies note, tensions surrounding these tariffs have somewhat lessened, particularly after the EU's decision to pause retaliatory tariffs on steel and aluminum following Trump's recent announcement of a 90-day suspension on a 20% tariff aimed at the EU. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed optimism about these developments, viewing the pause as a new opportunity for negotiations. Despite this temporary easing, experts like Teresa Coratella, from the European Council on Foreign Relations, stress that Meloni's main objective remains to solve tariff issues. Meloni's established rapport with Trump, indicated by her being the only EU leader at his inauguration and her previous visit to his Mar-a-Lago estate, places her in a unique position. However, the Italian Prime Minister’s approach is viewed as a gamble due to the delicate balance she must maintain between courting U.S. interests and adhering to EU policy directives. While Italian economic interests are pressing, with exports to the U.S. creating a trade surplus of nearly €40 billion, the EU's overall unity remains paramount. Critics, including Leo Goretti and Coratella, have raised concerns about Meloni's capability to negotiate effectively without official support from the EU Commission. They caution that any deviation from EU policy and criticism of bureaucratic procedures could backfire and jeopardize her standing within the bloc. In light of this context, Meloni's meeting with Trump represents a pivotal moment not only for Italy's economic standing but also for the EU's collective strategy in managing trade relations with the U.S. If successful, Meloni could solidify Italy’s position as a bridge between the EU and the U.S, but failure could exacerbate tensions within the EU and undermine Italy's credibility on the European stage.