Donald Trump is powering through with his America First agenda. But there’s still major work to be done.
And now President Trump has this critical meeting in the White House that has game-changing consequences.
Can Italy’s Pro-Trump Premier Soften America’s Tariff Sting?
When Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni steps into the White House on Thursday, she’ll carry the weight of the European Union’s economic hopes on her shoulders. As the first EU leader to meet President Donald Trump since he unleashed his tariff barrage, Meloni’s visit is a pivotal moment for transatlantic relations. Her longstanding alignment with Trump—dating back to before her 2022 rise to Italy’s top office—makes her a natural choice to lead this diplomatic charge. But this isn’t just a friendly catch-up; it’s a high-stakes effort to ease the economic pressure Trump’s policies have placed on Europe.
Meloni’s track record with Trump is unmatched among her European peers. She was quick to congratulate him on his 2024 reelection victory, beating other EU leaders to the punch. She made the trek to Mar-a-Lago in January, the first European head of state to meet Trump post-election. And when Trump took the oath of office, Meloni was the only EU leader in attendance, a gesture that spoke volumes about her affinity for the America First agenda. Her presence in Washington this week, however, signals a shift from symbolic gestures to hard-nosed negotiations.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Trump’s tariffs—a 25% levy on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, followed by a 10% across-the-board tax on EU goods—have rattled European markets. Major exchanges saw wild swings, with some enduring their worst single-day losses in decades, only to rebound with equally dramatic gains. The 10% tariff remains in effect, while a looming 20% tax on most EU exports has been paused for 90 days. That ticking clock adds urgency to Meloni’s mission, as Europe scrambles to avoid a full-blown trade war.
Trump, ever the showman, has reveled in the leverage his tariffs afford him. At a recent National Republican Congressional Committee dinner, he boasted about the desperation of foreign leaders. “Countries are calling us up, kissing my a**, they are dying to make a deal,” he said. “Please, please, sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything. I’ll do anything, sir.” The comment highlights the challenge Meloni faces: persuading a president who sees himself as holding all the cards.
Meloni’s approach, according to those familiar with her strategy, is to propose a “zero-zero” deal—eliminating tariffs on industrial goods flowing both ways across the Atlantic. It’s a bold pitch, one that aligns with the free-market instincts of some in Trump’s inner circle. Billionaire ally Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of the administration, endorsed a similar idea earlier this month. “At the end of the day, I hope it’s agreed that both Europe and the United States should move ideally, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America,” Musk said. His backing could give Meloni’s plan a fighting chance.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni tells the FT in an exclusive interview that she will respect the country’s ‘first ally’ in the White House while working to avoid a transatlantic rift.
Read the full interview by FT Editor @khalafroula : https://t.co/gt4oyIslsl pic.twitter.com/xjF5hmttKM
— Financial Times (@FT) March 28, 2025
Yet the road to a deal is fraught with obstacles. EU trade chief Maros Šefčovič revealed that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick shot down the “zero-zero” concept in February, barely a month into Trump’s term. The rejection suggests the administration is digging in, prioritizing domestic industries over diplomatic concessions. Meloni, a former skeptic of Brussels’ bureaucracy herself, must navigate this resistance while balancing the interests of Italy and the broader EU.
The economic fallout from Trump’s tariffs has been impossible to ignore. European manufacturers, already grappling with high energy costs and global competition, face shrinking profit margins as their goods become pricier in the U.S. market. Italy, with its robust export sector—think luxury cars, fashion, and machinery—stands to lose billions if the tariffs persist. Meloni’s conservative government, which shares Trump’s tough stance on immigration and cultural issues, sees economic stability as critical to maintaining political momentum at home.
Despite the grim outlook, some analysts remain cautiously optimistic about Meloni’s visit. Javier Noriega, chief economist at investment bank Hildebrandt and Ferrar, believes immediate breakthroughs are unlikely but sees potential for progress. “The best-case scenario is that no serious option is taken off the table and that both sides agree to keep talking,” Noriega said. “I think hopes are high for some kind of enduring agreement to come in the next few weeks.” His assessment points to Meloni’s visit as a foundation for longer-term talks.
Meloni’s personal rapport with Trump could be her greatest asset. Unlike many European leaders, who’ve clashed with the president over everything from NATO funding to climate policies, Meloni has cultivated a relationship built on mutual respect. Her willingness to engage directly with Trump’s vision—evident in her early support for his campaigns—sets her apart. This dynamic gives her a unique platform to advocate for Europe without alienating the administration.
The timing of Meloni’s visit adds another layer of intrigue. Just days after her White House meeting, she’ll host Vice President JD Vance in Rome, coinciding with the Easter weekend. Vance’s three-day trip signals the administration’s interest in deepening ties with Italy, a key NATO ally and economic partner. The back-to-back engagements suggest a coordinated effort to keep the lines of communication open as the tariff deadline looms.
For Trump, the tariffs are more than economic policy—they’re a cornerstone of his promise to revive American manufacturing and protect workers. His supporters see the levies as a long-overdue correction to decades of trade imbalances that favored foreign competitors. Meloni, with her own populist roots, likely understands this perspective better than most. Her challenge is to frame her proposal in a way that resonates with Trump’s priorities while safeguarding European interests.
The broader context of U.S.-EU relations hangs over the talks. Trump’s first term saw frequent tensions with Europe, from trade spats to disagreements over defense spending. His return to power has reignited those frictions, with tariffs serving as the opening salvo. Meloni’s ability to find common ground could set the tone for how the EU navigates this new era of American leadership.
If Meloni succeeds, even partially, she could cement her status as a bridge between Trump’s America and a wary Europe. A “zero-zero” deal, or something close to it, would ease market jitters and bolster confidence in transatlantic cooperation. Failure, on the other hand, risks escalating tensions, with the 90-day tariff pause serving as a countdown to deeper economic strife.
As Meloni prepares to face Trump, the world watches closely. Her visit is a test of diplomacy, political savvy, and personal chemistry. Whether she can soften the sting of America’s tariffs remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in a global landscape reshaped by Trump’s bold agenda, Meloni is playing a high-stakes game—and she’s not backing down.
The Conservative Column will update you on any further news about the Meloni-Trump meeting at the White House.
