US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in securing a trade deal with Europe, stating there will “100% be a trade deal” following a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Amid strained US-EU relations, Trump downplayed challenges in negotiations, saying, “We have something that everybody wants.”
The EU faces 25% US tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars, with broader tariffs planned for countries Trump accuses of imposing high barriers to US imports. Despite this, Trump claimed deals with Europe and others would face “very little problem.”
Meloni, who invited Trump to Italy, said her country aims to meet NATO’s 2% GDP defense spending target by June. She echoed Trump’s rhetoric, stating her goal is to “make the West great again.” Trump praised Meloni, saying, “She has taken Europe by storm.”
While optimistic, Trump tempered expectations on timing, noting deals would come “at a certain point” and that other countries are more eager than he is. The meeting follows EU efforts to negotiate a $1.8 trillion trading relationship, with European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič meeting US officials to address tariff and non-tariff barriers, including Europe’s value-added taxes.
Trump’s recent “Liberation Day” announcement of reciprocal tariffs rattled global markets, reflecting his push to rebalance global trade, which he claims has disadvantaged the US.
Source: Associated Press