Washington, April 18: President Donald Trump said he sees no urgency in finalizing trade agreements, crediting U.S. tariffs for generating significant revenue. “We’re in no rush,” Trump told reporters during a joint appearance with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, adding that the U.S. holds a strong position due to global demand for access to its market.
While downplaying a rapid conclusion to trade negotiations, Trump said agreements “will come at a certain point,” and described discussions with the European Union as potentially straightforward.
Meloni, the first European leader to meet Trump since he announced and then partially paused a 20 percent tariff on EU exports, is navigating a delicate role. While officially representing Italy, her visit has also positioned her as an informal emissary of the EU at a time of tense trans-Atlantic relations.
“We know we are in a difficult moment,” Meloni said earlier this week in Rome. “Most certainly, I am well aware of what I represent, and what I am defending.”
The EU describes its trade relationship with the U.S.—valued at €1.6 trillion ($1.8 trillion) annually—as the most significant in the world. In Brussels, officials are pushing for a “zero-for-zero” tariff deal with Washington, but Trump’s team continues to demand structural changes, including reductions in European value-added taxes.
Meloni’s efforts may be more about understanding Trump’s evolving trade goals than securing direct concessions, analysts say. “It is a very delicate mission,” said Fabian Zuleeg, chief economist at the European Policy Center. “Trump prefers informal dialogue, which in many ways is its own form of negotiation. So, there’s a lot riding on her visit.”
The Trump administration has repeatedly faulted European allies for underinvesting in defense while simultaneously threatening their economies with tariffs. Italy, for instance, spent only 1.49 percent of GDP on defense last year—well below NATO’s 2 percent benchmark. Trump is expected to press Meloni to increase that figure, according to U.S. officials.
Despite differing stances on issues like Ukraine—where Meloni has offered steadfast support since Russia’s 2022 invasion—the Italian leader remains ideologically aligned with Trump on matters such as immigration and skepticism of global institutions.
The two leaders are expected to discuss Ukraine’s reconstruction and the potential for expanded energy cooperation. “Italy could even consider importing more gas from the U.S.,” said Antonio Villafranca, vice president of ISPI, a Milan-based think tank. He noted that Meloni would likely focus on strengthening bilateral economic ties, which include services and trade.
Italy currently enjoys a €40 billion ($45 billion) trade surplus with the U.S., the country’s largest, driven by American demand for goods like Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma ham, and luxury fashion. These exports come largely from small- and medium-sized enterprises, a key support base for Meloni’s center-right coalition.
Some within the U.S. administration view Meloni as a crucial link to Europe amid rising global uncertainty. “She’s here not only to discuss how Italy’s marketplace can be opened up, but also how they can help us with the rest of Europe,” said a senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Meloni, who also attended Trump’s inauguration in 2021, has voiced criticism over the tariff decisions, calling them “wrong,” and warned that further divisions in the West “would be disastrous for everyone.”
While the White House imposed a 20 percent tariff on EU exports, it has suspended that move for 90 days to allow negotiations. The Trump administration has also imposed separate tariffs on countries including Canada, Mexico, and Japan—while increasing duties on Chinese goods to 145 percent.
In Washington, EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met this week with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Šefčovič later said on X that a zero-tariff deal “would require a significant joint effort on both sides.”
The tariffs have already taken a toll on the global economy. Italy’s economic growth forecast for the year has been slashed in half, from 1 percent to 0.5 percent, amid fears of a prolonged trade war.
Trump also met with Japan’s chief trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa on Wednesday. In a social media post, he described the talks as achieving “Big progress!” though he did not provide details.
Meanwhile, China continues to pursue its own trade deals, which analysts say could undermine Trump’s claims that tariffs will restore U.S. manufacturing and boost domestic jobs.
