EU Looks to Meloni-Trump Meeting for Clarity on US Tariff Demands: Report
Moscow, April 17 – European Union (EU) trade negotiators are hoping that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s upcoming meeting with former US President Donald Trump in Washington will provide much-needed insight into Washington’s tariff demands, The Financial Times reported on Thursday.
According to the report, EU officials have expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the US position and are now looking to Meloni’s visit to bring clarity.
Italy’s former NATO ambassador, Stefano Stefanini, noted that Meloni could hold an edge over EU mediators due to her direct access to “the decider” and her cordial relations with Trump.
Unnamed diplomats from four EU countries told the FT that while some member states have criticized Italy’s lenient approach to reciprocal tariffs, Meloni’s close ties with Trump could ultimately benefit the bloc. Meloni has backed the EU’s proposal to eliminate tariffs on industrial goods, provided the US reciprocates. However, diplomats involved in the discussions reportedly said Washington is unlikely to reduce its tariffs, and the existing 10% base rate will likely remain.
Meloni is set to meet Trump in Washington on Thursday. Earlier, Politico reported that she would seek trade concessions during the visit, though failure to secure any could potentially weaken her standing within the EU.
On April 2, Trump signed an executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs on imports from several nations, setting a base rate of 10%. On April 9, he expanded the order, applying the 10% tariffs for 90 days on imports from over 75 countries that had not responded with retaliatory measures or requested negotiations—excluding China. US tariffs on Chinese imports have since surged to 145%, with China imposing tariffs of up to 125% on American goods.
