- Trump says a trade deal with the EU is certain but insists there’s no rush to finalize it.
- Meloni calls the U.S. a “reliable partner” and believes unity is possible despite tensions over tariffs.
- The Trump administration is threatening Harvard’s tax status and closing a State Department disinformation office.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sat down with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, marking her as the first European leader to meet with him since his sweeping new tariffs went into effect earlier this month. The two appeared side by side at the White House, where Trump signaled that while a trade deal with the EU is very much on the table, there’s “no rush” to get it done.
“We’ll reach a deal, 100 percent,” Trump said. “At some point. But again—we’re doing just fine in the meantime.”
Meloni, in turn, expressed optimism despite the strain tariffs have placed on relations. She said she was “sure” a resolution could be reached and called the United States a “reliable partner.” It’s worth noting that Meloni’s far-right government shares much of the Trump administration’s ideological stance, which might make her a more natural go-between for Brussels and Washington.
Tariffs, Revenue, and Political Alignment
Trump also appeared unfazed by the backlash his economic policies have stirred, saying he was pleased with the revenue generated from the tariffs. The duties—originally set at 20% for EU imports—were temporarily paused for 90 days, but have not been entirely walked back. While Meloni has previously voiced criticism over the tariff hikes, she kept her tone diplomatic during the visit.
“We can still find unity,” she told reporters, suggesting that personal and political alignment between the two leaders could help ease broader tensions.
Trump, for his part, called Meloni “a wonderful woman” with “strong leadership,” reinforcing his warm stance toward Italy’s current administration.
Other Trump Administration Moves
Meanwhile, the Trump White House is making waves on multiple fronts. In a move that’s stirred academic circles, it’s reportedly threatening to block Harvard University from enrolling international students and is exploring revoking the school’s tax-exempt status altogether. No official comment has yet been released, but the message seems loud and clear: play ball or pay up.
Also on Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the State Department will be shutting down its office responsible for countering global disinformation—an agency that, ironically, has grown more relevant in today’s digital age.
So yeah, it’s been quite the week in Washington.
