Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to embark on a high-profile visit to Washington, where she will meet with President Donald Trump and negotiate a ‘zero-for-zero’ tariffs deal for the entire European Union. Will this historic meeting pave the way for a new era of trade relations between Europe and the US?
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to embark on a high-profile visit to Washington, where she will meet with President Donald Trump and negotiate a ‘zero-for-zero‘ tariffs deal for the entire European Union. This visit marks a significant moment in the complex relationship between Italy, the EU, and the US.
Giorgia Meloni is an Italian politician and journalist who has been serving as the leader of the Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia) party since 2014.
Born on January 15, 1977, in Rome, Italy, she rose to prominence with her hardline stance against immigration and EU policies.
In 2022, Meloni became the first female Prime Minister of Italy, marking a significant shift in Italian politics.
The recent imposition of 20% tariffs on the EU by Trump has sent shockwaves through the Italian economy, with exports to the US accounting for approximately 10% of the country’s total trade. This move has forced Rome to halve its growth forecast, highlighting the vulnerability of Italy’s economy to changes in US trade policy.
Meloni‘s relationship with Trump is unique among European leaders. The two have a long history of praising each other, and Meloni‘s right-wing coalition government has been ideologically closer to Trump than some of her European neighbours. Her visit to the US is seen as an opportunity for her to build on this rapport and convince Trump of the merits of a ‘zero-for-zero‘ tariffs deal.
Meloni‘s mission is fraught with complexity, as she must balance her duty to represent the interests of the EU while also navigating the nuances of her relationship with Trump. Her team appears clear that she will champion a European stance, but there are concerns that she may be tempted to go it alone and argue for more favourable terms for Italy.
The European Commission has expressed confidence in Meloni‘s ability to negotiate on behalf of all member states, and the EU negotiates trade policy as a collective entity. However, some Europeans have raised concerns about Trump‘s strategy of ‘dividing Europeans‘ through bilateral talks.
Meloni‘s visit may also serve as an opportunity for her to emphasize Europe’s commitment to reaching a zero-tariff agreement with the US and buying American goods, particularly in areas such as defence and liquified natural gas (LNG). In more hushed tones, she may also express concerns about China‘s growing economic influence.
As Meloni prepares to meet with Trump, her party allies are singing her praises for her courage and stature. However, centre-left opposition parties have taken the opportunity to berate her proximity to the Trump administration. The outcome of this visit will be closely watched, as it may determine the future of trade relations between Europe and the US.
