Italy's Meloni to visit US to discuss tariff relief deal with Trump

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will fly out to the US directly to negotiate a cutback in tariffs with US President Donald Trump, a move that has been coordinated with the European Union.

Meloni, who will travel to the US as early as next week, is expected to hold meetings with Potus to seek concessions on Trump tariffs, a report by Bloomberg cited people as saying.

Following the imposition of sweeping 10 percent tariffs that have rocked the global economy since coming into force over the weekend, rates on imports to the United States from exporters like the European Union or Japan rose further at 12.01 am (0401 GMT) Wednesday.

What are Meloni’s plans in US?

Several sources told the news outlet that Meloni and her team are set to suggest removing tariffs on trade between the EU and the US. The Italian government, however, declined to provide any comments.

European Commission Chief Ursula Von der Leyen is aware of the Italian prime minister’s US visit plans and has been in touch with her to discuss how to handle the crisis, an official has said.

More from World

All eyes on Meloni ahead of meeting with Trump: Can she start bridging EU-US divide? As Meloni sets up meeting with Trump, France fears disruption in unified response to tariff challenge

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance is also likely to visit Rome during Easter. Meeting consecutively with Trump and Vance would be a diplomatic achievement for Meloni, who is walking a delicate line — aligning ideologically with MAGA while Italy faces substantial vulnerability to tariffs. However, it also poses the risk of her returning without any tangible results.

How has Italy reacted to tariffs?

Ten per cent of Italy’s exports go to the US, with some of its key industries like pharmaceuticals, automakers, and the food and wine heavily impacted by Trump’s tariffs.

Italian officials, including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, have indicated that Italy is willing to delay the implementation of the bloc’s countermeasures if it aids in the negotiations.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

‘The cries of this widow will echo’: In first public remarks, Erika Kirk warns Charlie’s killers they’ve ‘unleashed a fire’

Trump urges Nato to back sanctions on Russia, calls for 50–100% tariffs on China

Although Meloni has called Trump’s sweeping tariff measures “wrong”, the prime minister is of the view that alarmist rhetoric should be avoided and that negotiations with the US are the way forward.