Washington, D.C., April 18, 2025 — The Europe Today: U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed strong confidence in the prospects of a trade agreement with the European Union, stating he would “100 percent” secure a deal, as he welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to the White House for high-level talks.
Prime Minister Meloni, the first European leader to visit Trump since the imposition of 20 percent tariffs on EU exports—recently suspended for 90 days—arrived in Washington on what observers have described as a charm offensive, aimed at de-escalating tensions and reshaping the transatlantic trade agenda.
During a joint appearance in the Oval Office, Trump praised Meloni as a “fantastic” leader, highlighting their shared conservative outlook. “There will be a trade deal, 100 percent,” the President affirmed during a working lunch with the Italian premier. Meloni, echoing his optimism, said she was “sure” that a comprehensive agreement could be reached.
Framing herself as a bridge between the Trump administration and Europe, Meloni emphasized her commitment to advancing shared values. “The goal for me is to make the West great again, and I think we can do it together,” she told reporters, referencing joint stances on immigration policy and ideological debates surrounding “woke” culture.
Despite the positive rhetoric, President Trump signaled that challenges remain, noting he is in “no rush” and that his broader tariff strategy remains unchanged. “Everybody wants to make a deal—and if they don’t want to make a deal, we’ll make the deal for them,” he remarked pointedly.
The visit further underscored the strong personal rapport between the two leaders. Meloni was notably the only European head of government to attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20, and senior U.S. officials have described her as “eye-to-eye with the president” on key policy matters, including immigration and the war in Ukraine.
Meloni revealed that Trump had accepted her invitation to visit Rome in the near future, where he may also engage with other European leaders. Her trip is widely viewed as part of a broader effort to position Italy as a key interlocutor between Washington and Brussels amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Trump concluded the talks with a pointed critique of Europe’s immigration policies, reiterating past concerns. “Europe needs to get a lot smarter on immigration,” he said, reinforcing one of the recurring themes of his foreign policy platform.
As negotiations continue, both sides appear poised to pursue a path toward economic cooperation—albeit on terms heavily shaped by Trump’s assertive trade posture and Meloni’s emerging role as a leading voice of European conservatism.
