Washington, 18 April (H.S.): Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni expressed optimism about a potential US-EU tariffs deal during Meloni's visit to the White House, with the Italian prime minister attempting to position herself as a mediator in Trump's trade conflict.
Meloni emphasized their conservative similarities, declaring her intention to make the West great again. Trump confidently stated, There will be a trade deal, 100 percent, while Meloni expressed assurance about reaching an agreement. Their discussions included a warm lunch and an Oval Office meeting, where Trump praised Meloni, who is the first European leader to meet him since he initiated 20 percent tariffs on EU exports, currently suspended for 90 days. Meloni mentioned Trump's acceptance of an invitation to Rome in the near future, potentially leading to meetings with other European leaders as well.
Despite acknowledging existing issues between the US and Europe, Meloni encouraged collaborative problem-solving and shared their views on immigration and opposition to woke ideology. Meanwhile, Trump reiterated criticisms of Europe regarding immigration policy and NATO defense spending and claimed China had reached out for a trade deal. The topic of Russia's war in Ukraine presented tension, as Meloni has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and President Zelensky, while Trump has displayed a contentious stance towards Zelensky, expressing discontent over the war itself. Overall, both leaders aimed for cooperation while navigating complex geopolitical challenges.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
