Prime Minister Meloni's White House Visit: Meeting with President Donald Trump to Discuss Strengthening EU Relations

Prime Minister Meloni's White House Visit: Meeting with President Donald Trump to Discuss Strengthening EU Relations

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is planning to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump next week, sparking concerns from French Industry Minister Marc Fescheri. He believes that this meeting could create division within Europe and hinder a unified European resistance against American tariffs.

Speaking to France Info Radio, Fescheri stated, "We must come together because Europe is strong when it is united. If we engage in bilateral talks, it will impact the unity of Europe."

Meloni is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House on April 17, where they will discuss the 20% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on the European Union. French Minister Benjamin Haddad also commented, stating that Europe's strength comes from its unity, and if Europe starts separate discussions with the U.S., its strength will diminish.

Haddad said, "If we don't unite as 27 countries and go separately, can we be stronger?" He added, "Let's see what Meloni will say, but it is important for us to have a united and firm response, not division."

Meanwhile, Meloni is ready to negotiate with the U.S. on tariffs to protect Italy's export interests. Italy, with a trade surplus of nearly 40 billion euros, is the third-largest U.S. trade surplus holder within the European Union.

Meloni, who deeply admires Trump’s nationalist policies and ideals, is attempting to maintain Italy's strategic relationship with the European Union.