ROME — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will hold critical trade discussions with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on April 17, according to an official announcement from her office. The talks center on resolving ongoing disputes over U.S.-imposed tariffs on European steel, aluminum, and luxury goods — measures Trump introduced during his administration that remain contentious.
The meeting comes as European leaders intensify efforts to address trade imbalances ahead of potential policy shifts in a U.S. election year. Analysts suggest Meloni aims to align Italy's export-dependent industries, including fashion and automotive sectors, with evolving transatlantic trade frameworks.
Business communities across Asia are closely monitoring the talks, given the potential ripple effects on global supply chains and market access. A recalibration of U.S.-EU tariffs could indirectly benefit Asian exporters in competing industries, though experts caution about broader implications for World Trade Organization norms.
The discussions mark Meloni's first diplomatic engagement with Trump since his 2024 campaign launch, testing Italy's balancing act between EU trade solidarity and bilateral negotiation strategies.
