Giorgia Meloni to Meet Trump Amid Tariff Tensions

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is undertaking a high-stakes visit to Washington to meet President Donald Trump, aiming to address escalating tensions over U.S. tariffs on European goods. While Meloni's ideological alignment with Trump is clear—sharing views on immigration and social issues—she faces the challenge of balancing Italy and the EU's economic interests against her rapport with the U.S. Meloni's role as a potential 'bridge' between Washington and Brussels is under scrutiny, especially as she seeks to negotiate a 'zero-for-zero' industrial tariff agreement amidst U.S. rejection of previous EU proposals. The European Commission has expressed support for her mission, despite concerns from some EU members about possible fragmentation. Domestically, Meloni must reassure Italians of her ability to protect their lucrative export markets while projecting unity with EU partners. Her visit is seen as a crucial test of her diplomatic agility and her capacity to navigate competing pressures from both sides of the Atlantic.