President Trump reportedly expressed optimism about reaching a trade deal with the European Union, stating he would have “very little problem” negotiating terms that could lower tariffs in exchange for access to the U.S. market, which he described as having “something everyone wants.”
He confidently asserted, “There will be a trade deal, 100%,” emphasizing the EU’s interest in making such an agreement.
Trump’s comments came during a meeting at the White House with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has invited him to Italy to engage in further discussions with EU officials.
Meloni, who shares Trump’s conservative, anti-woke ideology and has a personal rapport with him, is well-positioned to influence negotiations. She was notably the only European leader present at Trump’s inauguration.
During their lunch, Trump praised Meloni, saying, “I do like her very much. I think she’s a great prime minister.”
Meloni aims to leverage this ideological connection to secure favorable outcomes for Italy and the EU, although she acknowledged that the talks to renegotiate this major trade relationship could be lengthy and complex.
“I am sure we can make a deal and I’m here to help on that,” Meloni noted, indicating that Trump’s visit to Rome would occur soon.
Despite Trump’s previous accusations that the EU has “screwed us on trade,” the bloc has floated the idea of reducing mutual tariffs on industrial goods to zero, an offer Trump has yet to accept, and neither leader provided clear evidence of progress in negotiations.
Meloni’s goal is to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Europe as she works to keep European nations aligned with Trump’s administration, urging her counterparts to foster cooperation rather than confrontation.
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