US and Italy Discuss Trade, Defense, AI as Pressure Mounts on European Allies to Meet Spending Targets

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the White House on Thursday to meet with President Donald Trump, with trade, defense spending, and collaboration on artificial intelligence topping the agenda, Bloomberg reports.

While the discussions aimed to strengthen ties between the two nations, the meeting also underscored ongoing tensions between the US and its European allies over trade practices and defense commitments.

US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized Italy’s importance as a key economic partner and a major market for American goods and services within the European Union. Talks covered a wide range of issues, including easing import duties and regulatory barriers for US companies, boosting joint opportunities in space, telecommunications, and biotechnology, as well as addressing global concerns like shipping, the war in Ukraine, and collective security.

However, Meloni’s visit occurs against a backdrop of trade friction between the US and the EU, exacerbated by Trump’s imposition of tariffs and his demands for fairer trade practices. While Meloni is expected to propose the elimination of most industrial tariffs between the US and the EU, Italian officials have tempered expectations, acknowledging that a comprehensive agreement is unlikely to materialize during the current discussions.

Amidst these trade tensions, Italy is reportedly preparing to increase its defense spending to meet NATO’s 2% of GDP target. While this move signals a commitment to collective security, it falls short of Trump’s previously stated preference for European nations to allocate 5% of GDP to defense, a figure considered financially unsustainable for Italy.

During the meetings, Meloni will likely emphasize Italy’s strategic importance in the Mediterranean and argue against any potential reduction in US defense resources in the region.

Following her meeting with Trump, Meloni is scheduled to host US Vice President JD Vance in Rome. Vance, known for his critical views on Europe, will likely reiterate the US expectation that European nations should shoulder a greater share of the defense burden.

While a breakthrough on trade remains uncertain, Meloni’s visit offers an opportunity for both sides to address key concerns and explore potential avenues for cooperation, particularly in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Moreover, her meetings could provide insights into the Trump administration’s negotiating strategy and the terms under which the US is willing to ease trade restrictions with its European partners. For Europe and Italy, a central goal is finding a way to navigate a contentious and volatile relationship with Trump, with a US-EU summit potentially emerging as a way forward, perhaps even giving European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen her first chance at a meeting with Trump.