Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to meet with US President Donald Trump in a high-stakes White House summit on Thursday, aiming to present herself as a potential mediator between Brussels and Washington amid rising transatlantic trade tensions.
Meloni’s visit, which makes her the first European leader to meet Trump since his re-election and subsequent suspension of planned EU trade tariffs, has sparked anxiety among some of her European counterparts who fear her growing rapport with the former—and now current—president may undermine EU unity.
A Delicate Diplomatic Role
At 12pm local time in Washington, Meloni and Trump are scheduled to have lunch, followed by a meeting in the Oval Office, attended by a select group of White House reporters and Italian journalists. The summit is expected to cover a broad range of issues, including trade, NATO defence spending, and the future of EU-US relations.
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Speaking earlier this week in Rome, Meloni struck a confident tone:
“It’s a difficult moment. Let’s see how the situation develops, but let’s remember that we have the strength, ability, and intelligence to overcome any obstacle.”
Tariffs Loom Over Talks
Trump had imposed 20% tariffs on EU products, which he then suspended for 90 days, pending ongoing reviews. These tariffs follow a blanket 10% tariff placed on imports from most countries, including EU members, since 5 April. Meloni has called the tariffs “wrong” but has taken a cautious approach in public, reportedly to avoid fracturing Italy’s commitments to the EU’s unified trade stance.
Meloni consulted with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before her departure, as well as Germany’s outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz and his successor, Friedrich Merz, according to Politico Germany. While both Scholz and Merz have attempted to secure their own meetings with Trump, neither has succeeded—highlighting Meloni’s unique access to the new administration.
Europe Watches With Trepidation
The visit has stirred concern among Italy’s EU partners, who fear that Meloni’s increasingly close ties to Trump may compromise the bloc’s collective bargaining power. Italy’s domestic opposition has also voiced apprehension about the diplomatic implications.
“The advice from the opposition is that the prime minister returns home with reopened negotiations between the US and EU,” said Enrico Borghi of the Italia Viva party.
“This is essential to guarantee a framework of relative tranquility to our economic and productive system, which has been weakened by what is a real trade war.”
Meloni’s office has denied reports that she will seek exemptions for Italian products, although Italy is the EU’s third-largest exporter to the US, underscoring the country’s economic interest in a stable and fair transatlantic trade environment.
NATO Spending and Security Policy
The summit is also expected to touch on NATO defence spending, a key issue for Trump, who has repeatedly demanded that allies meet the 2% of GDP benchmark. Italy currently spends 1.49%, one of the lowest rates among European allies, potentially putting Meloni in a difficult position during negotiations.
Meloni will reportedly try to reframe Italy’s defence contributions not just in terms of expenditure, but also in operational value—pointing to Italy’s active role in peacekeeping missions, cyber defence, and EU border security.
Balancing Act Between Brussels and Washington
Meloni’s meeting with Trump marks her third visit to the White House, although her previous two visits were under the Biden administration. Her relationship with Trump has warmed considerably in recent years, in part due to shared populist ideals and conservative domestic agendas.
Nonetheless, Meloni remains under pressure to balance Italy’s deep economic integration with the EU and her ideological alignment with Trump.
“It’s a tightrope act,” said a senior Italian diplomat. “Meloni knows that positioning herself as a go-between might bring benefits—but if she’s perceived as going too far in siding with Trump, it could backfire both in Brussels and at home.”
Looking Ahead: Vance and the Vatican
After returning to Rome on Friday, Meloni is expected to meet JD Vance, Trump’s vice president, during his visit to Italy. Vance, who drew criticism from EU leaders following his blistering anti-European speech at the Munich Security Conference, will also meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state.
Meloni has previously defended Vance’s remarks, arguing they reflect a broader shift in global power dynamics rather than hostility to European values.
As the White House lunch unfolds, all eyes will be on how Meloni navigates this complex geopolitical moment—can she act as a credible transatlantic bridge, or will her growing proximity to Trump drive a deeper wedge between Europe and the US?
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: Italy’s role on the global stage just became a whole lot more pivotal.
