- Trump says he’s “100%” confident the U.S. will secure new trade deals with both China and the EU.
- Italy’s Prime Minister Meloni supports a potential EU deal and says she’s in Washington to strengthen Western unity.
- The White House claims over 75 nations have shown interest in trade talks since Trump’s new tariff strategy began.
President Donald Trump says he’s sure the U.S. will strike new trade deals with both China and the European Union—adding that one with the EU could land before the current 90-day tariff pause runs out.
“There will be a trade deal, 100%,” Trump told reporters ahead of a White House lunch with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on April 17. “They want to make one very, very much. And we’re going to make a trade deal. I fully expect it. But it will be a fair deal.”
When asked whether the EU is a top focus right now, Trump shrugged it off: “Everybody’s on my priority list.”
Tensions, Tariffs, and Talks
The U.S. and EU are in a bit of a holding pattern right now. Trump had slapped a broad tariff on multiple countries earlier this month, followed by an even steeper one on the EU. That hike was temporarily paused for 90 days to give both sides space to negotiate—and in return, the EU froze its planned counter-tariffs.
Trump doesn’t seem too worried about the U.S. pushing its allies toward China either. “Nobody can compete with us. Nobody,” he said.
Since the president introduced the so-called reciprocal tariff plan, the White House claims over 75 countries have shown interest in fresh trade talks, with at least 15 submitting formal proposals.
Meloni Backs a Deal, Urges Unity
Meloni, making her first visit to Washington as Italy’s prime minister, seemed upbeat about the prospects. “I’m sure we can make a deal, and I’m here to help with that,” she said. Though she clarified she can’t speak for the entire EU, she hinted at wanting to invite Trump to Italy—and maybe even arrange a broader meeting with European leaders.
She also shared her approach: “I think simply we have to talk. Speak frankly, and find ourselves in the best middle way to grow together.”
Trump echoed the optimism, saying, “We’re going to have very little problem making a deal with Europe or anybody else, because we have something that everybody wants.”
EU Deficit, China Tensions
Although Trump hasn’t met with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yet, the bloc’s top trade official has been in D.C. this week meeting U.S. reps. The U.S. racked up a $235.6 billion trade deficit with the EU in 2024—second only to China.
Speaking of China, Trump hasn’t talked with President Xi Jinping since things escalated, but during the Meloni visit he said, “I think we’re going to make a very good deal with China.”
Talks between Trump and Meloni were expected to continue in the Oval Office. Topics on the table included the war in Ukraine and Trump’s push for NATO countries to spend 5% of their GDP on defense.
