Trump: Meloni made a "fantastic" impression

The White House announced that Trump had accepted an invitation from Meloni to visit Italy and would be traveling there "in the near future". The possibility of holding a meeting between the USA and other European countries during this visit is also on the table. Trump's Vice President JD Vance is currently in Rome.

Meloni is considered an important contact for Trump in Europe

Meloni had been received by Trump in the Oval Office the previous day. During their joint appearance in front of the press, both were in a visibly good mood and joked with each other. Meloni emphasized the similarities between the two governments and courted the favour of the US President. Trump was impressed and spoke highly of Meloni.

The bilateral talks also covered the topic of tariffs. Like many other European heads of government, Meloni had criticized Trump's announcement of new punitive tariffs - at the same time, she is trying to maintain a good relationship with the US President and wants to act as a "bridge builder". After the meeting, the White House said that the US and Italy wanted to ensure "that trade between the US and Europe is mutually beneficial, fair and balanced".

The Italian is considered one of Trump's preferred contacts among Europeans. The leader of the right-wing nationalist party Fratelli d'Italia had already attended Trump's inauguration in January and had previously been a guest at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.