Donald Trump welcomes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the White House; says there will be '100% EU tariff agreement' | Today news

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met US President Donald Trump in the White House on Thursday, where both leaders expressed optimism that an EU American trade agreement could be worked. There would be “100 percent” an agreement, Trump said before a working lunch in the White House, adding: “I expect it to the full, but it will be a fair deal.” However, the president offered no timeline. “We’re not in a hurry. We will have very few trouble making an agreement with Europe or someone else, ‘he added. Meloni said she could be “sure” an agreement can be reached, confirming that the United States is a ‘reliable partner’, despite the rates. Meloni added that she would invite Trump for an official visit to Italy and hope to organize a meeting with other European leaders at the time. Meloni, who visits Washington to ensure tariff relief for her country and the European Union, expressed confidence that they could make an agreement. “I’m here to help about it.” She emphasized that Trump would have to connect with other European leaders and added: “I cannot do this agreement in the name of the European Union.” Meloni criticized Trump’s “wrong” 20 percent of EU exports – which he later suspended 90 days – but he looked at ties with the Mercurial Trump despite the chaos caused by his rates. Meloni, who is described by Trump as a ‘fantastic leader’ who shares many of his conservative views, is the first European leader to meet with Trump since his trade war has begun the block. The Italian Prime Minister said she believed in “unity” despite the trade tension, and added from the United States: “If I didn’t think it was a reliable partner, I wouldn’t be here.” Senior US officials said earlier that Meloni and Trump have a ‘very special relationship’, adding that she could be a bridge for an agreement on rates between Europe and Washington. “Hopefully the prime minister and the president will be able to progress the ball on the field,” one official of the Trump administration told reporters. First published: 17 Apr 2025, 22:16 IST