US President Donald Trump reiterated his firm stance on foreign trade policy, stating there is "no rush" to eliminate imposed tariffs during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Meloni's visit to the White House was seen as an attempt to exert diplomatic pressure on behalf of the EU, seeking to avoid an escalation in the trade war. She aimed to position Italy as a bridge between Europe and the United States.
Trump has argued that tariffs are "making the United States rich," despite criticism of their negative impact on global trade and investment. The EU seeks a zero-tariff agreement, but faces resistance from Washington.
The meeting also addressed defense and geopolitics, including the war in Ukraine. Trump urged Meloni to increase Italy's military spending to meet NATO's 2% of GDP threshold.
Italy, which has a trade surplus with the United States, fears the impact of tariffs on key sectors. The country's economic growth has already been affected, with a reduction in its forecast for this year.