Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will test her role as a mediator between the EU and the US during her upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. She is the first European leader to meet with Trump since he announced and later suspended a 20% tariff on European exports. The meeting comes at a crucial time in the ongoing trade tensions, with Meloni representing both Italy and, to some extent, the European Union. She has coordinated closely with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the visit.

Meloni acknowledged the challenges, stating she understands the importance of defending the EU's critical trade relationship with the US, valued at 1.6 trillion euros annually. While the European Commission leads trade negotiations, pushing for a zero-for-zero tariff agreement, Trump’s insistence on a 10% baseline tariff remains a key sticking point. The temporary suspension of a 20% increase has sparked some hope for negotiations, with experts suggesting that Meloni’s role is more about gaining clarity on Trump's objectives than securing direct concessions.

The mission is delicate, according to Fabian Zuleeg, chief economist at the European Policy Center. While Meloni isn't directly negotiating, she will likely engage in informal talks, which Trump favors. Ideologically, Meloni shares some common ground with Trump, particularly on migration and traditional values, but she diverges sharply on supporting Ukraine. Despite the often unpredictable nature of US policy under Trump, Meloni has maintained a cautious stance, criticizing tariffs as damaging and warning that dividing the West would have disastrous consequences.

Italy’s strong trade surplus with the US, driven by products like Italian wine, cheese, and luxury fashion, is crucial for its economy. Meloni is expected to focus on enhancing economic and trade relations with the US, including potential discussions about importing more US gas. However, Italy's lower military spending, at 1.49% of GDP, may also be raised in light of Trump's NATO demands. While hopes for tangible progress remain cautious, experts believe the primary goal is to establish clearer expectations for future US-Italy relations, particularly concerning trade, defense, and Ukraine policy.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.