US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sounded upbeat today about the prospects of the US and the European Union reaching a trade deal amid a global push by the US leader for tariffs.
Trade is expected to dominate talks between Trump and Meloni, who has been chosen by the EU to lead negotiations on a deal made more urgent by Trump’s decision to impose tariffs of at least 10 percent on nations around the world. The EU was hit with a 20 percent tariff rate, but like dozens of other nations, the union was granted a 90-day reprieve to allow negotiations.
Trump said he was in no rush to reach a deal, but added that he believed a trade deal would be reached.
“Of course, there will be a trade deal. Absolutely. They want to make it, very much. And we will make a trade deal. I absolutely expect it, but it will be a fair deal,” Trump told reporters during a reception for Prime Minister Meloni at the White House at a working lunch before sitting in the Oval Office.
Meloni also agrees with Trump’s optimistic announcements.
“I’m sure we can make a deal, and I’m here to help,” she said.
Trump’s 90-day pause in the implementation of the imposed tariffs is scheduled to end on May 9. Japan sent a high-level delegation to the White House on Wednesday for talks involving Trump and was as upbeat as ever today.
Trump said he was confident the US would also be able to make a very good deal with China.
Meloni will receive US Vice President JD Vance tomorrow in Rome.
