tariff war | Trump is hosting Italian PM at WH, expected to discuss a range of issues, including trade tensions with the EU

AP Milan

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will test her mettle as a bridge between the EU and the United States when she meets with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Thursday, the first European leader to have a face-to-face with Trump since he announced, and then suspended, 20% tariffs on European exports.

Meloni secured the meeting at a critical juncture in the trade war as Italy’s leader, but she also has, in a sense, been “knighted” to represent the European Union. She has been in close contact with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the trip, and “the outreach is . closely coordinated,” a commission spokeswoman said this week.

“We know we are in a difficult moment,” Meloni said this week in Rome.  “Most certainly, I am well aware of what I represent, and what I am defending.” The EU is defending what it calls “the most important commercial relationship in the world,” with annual trade reaching 1.6 trillion euros ($1.8 trillion).

Trade negotiations fall under the European Com­m­ission’s authority, pushing for a zero-for-zero tariff deal with the US. However, US officials in talks with the EU have yet to publicly show signs of re­lenting on Trump’s insistence that a baseline 10% tariff be charged on all foreign imports. The pause has raised hopes for negotiations, and Meloni’s margins for progress are more in gaining clarity on Trump’s goals rather than outright concessions, experts say.

Ahead of his meeting with Meloni, Trump shared an update about his recent talks with foreign officials after tariffs were imposed on imports. On Truth Social, Trump says he had “a very productive call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum yesterday”. He also touts a “very productive meeting” with "the highest level" trade representatives from Japan on Wednesday. “Every Nation, including China, wants to meet! Today, Italy!” Trump said.