- Trump says he’s “100%” assured the U.S. will safe new commerce offers with each China and the EU.
- Italy’s Prime Minister Meloni helps a possible EU deal and says she’s in Washington to strengthen Western unity.
- The White Home claims over 75 nations have proven curiosity in commerce talks since Trump’s new tariff technique started.
President Donald Trump says he’s certain the U.S. will strike new commerce offers with each China and the European Union—including that one with the EU may land earlier than the present 90-day tariff pause runs out.
“There will likely be a commerce deal, 100%,” Trump instructed reporters forward of a White Home lunch with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on April 17. “They wish to make one very, very a lot. And we’re going to make a commerce deal. I absolutely anticipate it. However it is going to be a good deal.”
When requested whether or not the EU is a prime focus proper now, Trump shrugged it off: “Everyone’s on my precedence listing.”
Tensions, Tariffs, and Talks
The U.S. and EU are in a little bit of a holding sample proper now. Trump had slapped a broad tariff on a number of international locations earlier this month, adopted by a fair steeper one on the EU. That hike was briefly paused for 90 days to offer each side house to barter—and in return, the EU froze its deliberate counter-tariffs.
Trump doesn’t appear too nervous concerning the U.S. pushing its allies towards China both. “No person can compete with us. No person,” he stated.
Because the president launched the so-called reciprocal tariff plan, the White Home claims over 75 international locations have proven curiosity in recent commerce talks, with at the least 15 submitting formal proposals.
Meloni Backs a Deal, Urges Unity
Meloni, making her first go to to Washington as Italy’s prime minister, appeared upbeat concerning the prospects. “I’m certain we will make a deal, and I’m right here to assist with that,” she stated. Although she clarified she will’t communicate for your entire EU, she hinted at wanting to ask Trump to Italy—and possibly even organize a broader assembly with European leaders.
She additionally shared her method: “I feel merely we have now to speak. Communicate frankly, and discover ourselves in one of the best center solution to develop collectively.”
Trump echoed the optimism, saying, “We’re going to have little or no downside making a cope with Europe or anyone else, as a result of we have now one thing that everyone desires.”
EU Deficit, China Tensions
Though Trump hasn’t met with EU Fee President Ursula von der Leyen but, the bloc’s prime commerce official has been in D.C. this week assembly U.S. reps. The U.S. racked up a $235.6 billion commerce deficit with the EU in 2024—second solely to China.
Talking of China, Trump hasn’t talked with President Xi Jinping since issues escalated, however in the course of the Meloni go to he stated, “I feel we’re going to make an excellent cope with China.”
Talks between Trump and Meloni had been anticipated to proceed within the Oval Workplace. Subjects on the desk included the conflict in Ukraine and Trump’s push for NATO international locations to spend 5% of their GDP on protection.