by Andira Vitale

President Giorgia Meloni has assumed a pivotal role as the mediator between the United States and the European Union. Her involvement in the upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and EU officials in Rome is of significant importance. Despite Trump’s emphasis on the interests of the United States and his unwavering trade policy, he has expressed the possibility of reaching an agreement with the EU as an alternative.

President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met at the White House on Thursday, fostering stronger US-Italy ties. President Trump’s positive remarks about Ms Meloni, stating that she was “doing a fantastic job” and had “taken Europe by storm,” and that she “has become a friend,” set an optimistic tone for the summit.

However, these strong ties and Trump’s praise of Meloni do not affect Italy’s economic and commercial life as a member of the EU. In other words, Trump’s decisions regarding the EU also include Italy, a member of the Union. It also affects Italy…

Italy is one of the countries most exposed to tariffs on imports from the EU, which Donald Trump adopted on April 2, and was partially suspended after worrying creaks in the bond market. The United States absorbs 10% of Italian exports. If the Trump administration were to confirm the 20% tariff on the EU after the pause expires in July, the losses for Italian exporters would be significant. Nor would the picture be much rosier if the current threshold of 10% were to remain (it was around 1% before April 2), to which the 25% duties on aluminium, steel and cars should be added. Even more worrying is the prospect that the tariffs will slow global growth. The Meloni government has already halved growth prospects for this year. Meloni cannot start bilateral negotiations with the United States because trade policy is the prerogative of the Union. Furthermore, granting exemptions to Italian products would create an internal fracture within the EU, isolating Italy and reducing its influence in negotiations on critical issues such as easing the Stability and Growth Pact or using common resources to support defence investments. Meloni must seek to engage with Washington on issues that can gain the support of her European partners.

Meloni was the first European leader to meet with Trump since he announced and suspended 20% tariffs on European exports. La vera speranza su cui si basa questo incontro è che Trump riveda la sua politica commerciale.

The pair met in Washington in an attempt by the Italian prime minister to bridge the gap between the European Union and the United States amid trade tariff tensions. Giorgia Meloni said Donald Trump had accepted her invitation for an official trip to Rome.  Meloni said Trump’s trip could happen “shortly, “allowing him to meet other European leaders. Under Mr Trump’s policy of hitting countries he says impose high barriers to US imports, the EU faces 25 per cent import tariffs on steel, aluminium, and cars and broader tariffs on almost all other goods. “I am sure we can make a deal, and I am here to help with that,” Ms Meloni said before the summit. Trump and Meloni expressed optimism about resolving the EU-US trade conflict earlier.

The U.S. president was asked what would happen if a deal wasn’t made between the U.S. and the European Union after 90 days. ‘Oh, there will be a trade deal, 100 per cent,’ he replied.

Meloni echoed the sentiment. ‘I’m sure we can make a deal. And I’m here to help on that. I cannot deal in the name of the European Union. My goal will be to invite President Trump to pay an official visit to Italy and understand if there’s a possibility when he comes to organise such a meeting with Europe,’ Meloni said.

Trump said he expected to announce trade deals but was in no rush. “We’re going to have a tiny problem making a deal with Europe or anybody else, because we have something everybody wants,” he said.