Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made headlines this week as she became the first European leader to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump following the announcement of sweeping new tariffs on European exports. The high-stakes meeting at the White House placed Meloni at the center of transatlantic negotiations, with both leaders signaling a desire to reset trade relations and address shared concerns on immigration and defense.
Trump praised Meloni for her assertive approach to immigration, calling her a “role model” for Europe and highlighting their strong personal rapport. The Italian leader, in turn, echoed Trump’s rhetoric, stating her ambition to “make the West great again” while emphasizing Italy’s need for increased liquefied natural gas imports to counterbalance U.S. trade demands.
Meloni’s visit comes as the European Union faces a 10% universal tariff on exports to the U.S., with the threat of further increases looming. European leaders are closely watching Meloni’s efforts, hoping she can persuade the Trump administration to soften its stance and avoid a trade war that could impact economies across the continent.
With her growing influence in both Washington and Brussels, Meloni is positioning herself as a key bridge between the U.S. and the EU, navigating complex alliances at a critical moment for Italy and Europe’s future.
