Make the West again great?

Donald Trump met the prime minister of Italy Georgia Melony in the White House with particular warmth and agreed to come to her Rome. But it seems that this is the only thing that you managed to agree on

On April 17, US President Donald Trump met with Italy Prime Minister Georgia Melony in the White House. She became the first of the European leaders to fly to Washington after Trump introduced, and then suspended import duties from almost all countries of the world, including the European Union.

Trump and Meloni exchanged mutual praise, and the American leader agreed to make an official visit to Rome. The parties discussed many pressing issues-from tariffs to economics and trade, from the war in Ukraine to the import of American gas-but it seems that they have not achieved any significant results during the visit. How the meeting went and what the EU thinks about it-in the material of the New-Europe.

"She is a great leader, I am proud of her." How did the meeting of Trump and Melony go - positive and praise

Trump on April 9 suspended 90 days the introduction of large -scale tariffs against more than 75 countries of the world. Thus, the European Union has three months to convince Trump not to introduce 20 percent duties on all exports to the United States. Now the EU is taxed by a 10%basic tariff, as well as 25 percent fees for steel, aluminum and cars.

It is the issue of duties, as expected, will become the main topic at a meeting in the White House. As a result, in addition, the parties discussed issues of migration, trade, defense, economics, space, energy and war in Ukraine - but most of the time, it seems, they expressed mutual admiration for each other.

“A wonderful person,” Trump said , meeting Meloni in front of a bilateral dinner. Then the two leaders gave a press conference in the oval office-it was where on February 28 Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio entered the skirmish with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

Trump admitted that he “really likes” Melony:

“She is a great leader and she does exclusive work in Italy. I am proud of her, and I am proud that I am here with her ",

- said the US President.

Meloni, constantly emphasizing that “both sides of the Atlantic” “can become stronger,” said that the purpose of her visit is to start negotiations and invite Trump to Italy, where she hopes to organize his meeting with other European leaders. Italian Prime Minister expressed confidence that the agreement between the United States and the EU on tariffs can be achieved, but emphasized that it cannot negotiate on behalf of the entire European bloc.

At the same time, Melony said that she considers the United States a “devoted partner.”

“I'm here to make the West again great. <...> I am talking about the West not only in a geographical sense, but also about civilization, ”she said. “We can [do it],” Trump answered.

Among other things, Melony expressed its readiness to strengthen relations between the United States and Italy by increasing the exports of American natural gas and increasing defense costs to 2% of GDP.

Trump, in turn, emphasized that he was “in no hurry” to conclude an agreement with the European Union at trading tariffs, but promised that this would happen “100%”. “It will be an honest deal,” added the American leader. He again spoke flattering about Melony, saying that she "did an excellent job, everyone loves and respects her," and that he "cannot say the same about others."

The leaders of the United States and Italy discussed the war in Ukraine. According to the American president, the White House expects a response from Moscow to the US offering about the ceasefire “this week”. In his opinion, "we are close to the end of the war":

“As you know, Russia is much superior to Ukraine in military power, and [I think that] if you are smart, you will not get involved in the wars that you cannot rule,” the US president added , again hinting at the alleged responsibility of Kiev for the beginning of the conflict. “I do not blame Zelensky, but he did well with his work. I am not his big fan, ”Trump concluded.

Meloni again repeated that, in her opinion, Vladimir Putin and Russia were the invader and initiator of the invasion.

"Italy can become the best ally of the United States if Meloni remains the prime minister." The results of the meeting

Despite the friendly jokes and optimism reigning in the oval office, the parties did not reach any significant results during the meeting. In particular, none of the leaders publicly stated that the countries have advanced in resolving the issue of tariffs. However, as Melony said after negotiations, Trump nevertheless agreed to make an official visit to Rome: as the Prime Minister of Italy was sure, this will become "another opportunity to strengthen the dialogue between countries."

“To work together to build a stronger West,” Meloni wrote such words on social networks at the end of her meeting.

“A fair and constructive discussion of strategic issues: from security to defense, from the fight against illegal immigration to trade relations. Italy is increasingly becoming the main character in a rapidly changing international situation. And today, including thanks to the work done in recent years, they listen to our point of view and respect it, ”Meloni is sure.

In her opinion, the connection between Italy and the United States remains "strong, vital and decisive for joint confrontation with serious global challenges."

Trump was also satisfied with the visit of Melony. In his opinion, Italy can become "the best ally of the United States, if Melony remains the Prime Minister." “She copes well, and we have a great relationship. Italy is one of our closest allies not only in Europe. We have many Italians in our country, ”the US president added.

"She can speak Trumpov." How in the EU they reacted to the meeting

Meloni - the leader of the Right Party of the “brothers of Italy”, ideologically close to Trump - was very warmly met by the US president. As Politico writes ,

In Brussels, they were concerned about the visit of Meloni, but they recognized that she was the best mediator between the USA and Europe against the backdrop of “transatlantic tension”.

The Italian leader cooperates closely with partners in the European Union, and therefore has a unique opportunity to interact with Trump on behalf of his country and Europe as a whole, journalists emphasize. The EU hopes that she will be able to push Trump to a trading agreement in order to avoid the introduction of additional return duties, as well as influence his approach to the resolution of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Unlike other European leaders, Melony believes that you can still agree with Trump and that his threats are only a “daring tactics of negotiations”, Two unnamed Italian officials, familiar with the foreign policy position, told Politico.

“They [Trump and Meloni] get along. She [Meloni] and Elon Musk get along. I think this means that, unlike many other European leaders, it can speak Trumpov, ”said Rachel Ritsezo, senior researcher at the European Center of the Atlantic Council of the Atlantic Council.

Indeed, Meloni has long been considering the billionaire Ilon Mask - the head of the Department of Efficiency and Senior Advisor to the US President in the Trump administration - “her friend”, and during yesterday's visit she met with a businessman, exchanging her arms and friendly kisses.

Among other things, she built warm relations with Trump long before he took his office. During a joint dinner on January 4, the Republican called Meloni a “fantastic woman” in the residence of Trump in Mar-A-Leam, who “took Europe by storming”. In addition, Melony became the only leader from EU member countries invited to Trump's second inauguration.

The Italian leader has already returned to Rome. Today she will meet with US Vice President Jay Di Wans in the Palazzo Kiji-the official residence of the Prime Minister Italy.

“Melony can extract from this [from a meeting in the White House] benefit, but it is not yet clear whether her colleagues from the EU will benefit from this,” they summed up in Politico.