‘Make the West great again’: Trump and Meloni bond over tariffs, immigration, and a shared conservative vision

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US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni struck an unusually upbeat note on Friday as they met at the White House, signaling hope for a new US-EU trade deal and highlighting a growing ideological alignment between the two conservative leaders.

“There will be a trade deal, 100 percent,” Trump declared confidently, seated beside Meloni during her charm offensive in Washington. The far-right Italian leader echoed the optimism: “I’m sure we can reach a deal.”

Meloni, who became the first European leader to meet Trump since he imposed 20% tariffs on EU exports earlier this year, now suspended for 90 days, has pitched herself as a key intermediary between the US and Europe. “Even if we have some problems between the two shores of the Atlantic, it is the time that we try to sit down and find solutions,” she said.

Throughout her visit, Meloni emphasized their shared worldview—from curbing immigration to battling “woke” ideology. “The goal for me is to make the West great again, and I think we can do it together,” she said, co-opting Trump’s signature slogan.

Trump, who hosted her for a working lunch and Oval Office meeting, praised Meloni as “fantastic” and said she had extended an invitation to visit Rome soon—an offer he’s considering, potentially in conjunction with a broader EU leaders’ meet.

Tough talk on Europe and China

While the atmosphere was friendly, Trump returned to familiar criticisms. He accused the EU of trying to “screw” the US on trade and said the bloc needed to “get smart” on immigration and step up defense spending in Nato.

“Everybody wants to make a deal and if they don’t want to make a deal, we’ll make the deal for them,” Trump warned, adding he was “in no rush.”

He also claimed that China had “reached out” about resolving their trade war, despite his imposition of a steep 145% tariff following the April 2 “Liberation Day” tariffs. “I think we’re going to make a very good deal with China,” he said.

Ukraine war exposes a rift

The Russia-Ukraine war remained a point of friction between the two. Meloni has been a firm supporter of Ukraine and recently called Russia’s Palm Sunday strike on Sumy “horrible and vile.” Trump, meanwhile, has shifted toward a more sympathetic stance on Moscow and has publicly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I don’t hold Zelensky responsible but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that that war started,” Trump said with Meloni beside him. “I’m not a big fan of the Ukrainian.”

EU unity at risk?

Meloni’s outreach has raised eyebrows in Brussels and across European capitals. While the European Commission stressed that the bloc alone can negotiate trade deals, it welcomed the Italian PM’s initiative as “coordinated with Brussels.”

Still, some European leaders aren’t convinced. “If we start having bilateral discussions, obviously it will break the current dynamic,” warned France’s Industry Minister Marc Ferracci.

According to Italian media, one aim of Meloni’s visit was to pave the way for a meeting between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

After wrapping up her US trip, Meloni is expected back in Rome Friday to host US Vice President JD Vance. But her decision to personally engage Trump comes at a high-stakes moment. The tariffs he’s threatening could hit Italy hard—nearly 10% of its exports go to the US.

Yet for now, both leaders are betting on their chemistry. As Meloni puts it, “I am aware of what I represent and I am aware of what I am defending.”

TOI World Desk

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