A Unique Diplomatic Encounter Between Vice President J.D. Vance and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – A New Bridge in U.S.-European Relations

A Unique Diplomatic Encounter Between Vice President J.D. Vance and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – A New Bridge in U.S.-European Relations
Rome, April 18, 2025

According to a Reuters report, a distinctive diplomatic atmosphere was created during recent meetings between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance. After visiting the White House for discussions with Trump and Vance, Meloni returned to Rome. Shortly afterward, Vance also arrived in Italy with his family to spend the Easter holidays.

At a joint press conference in the Oval Office, when Meloni responded to journalists' questions in Italian, Trump remarked, “That was very beautiful! But what did she say?” Meloni was primarily speaking about the war in Ukraine, where she expressed a position that differed from Trump's.

In Rome, Vance joined Meloni for a lunch meeting. During the meeting, Meloni gave a brief statement in Italian describing the recent talks as “wonderful” and spoke of a “special relationship” between the two countries. Vance joked, “Even if she insulted me, since it would be in such a beautiful language, I probably wouldn’t even mind!”

Trump, a longtime critic of the European Union, has always viewed Meloni differently. He extended a personal invitation to Meloni to attend his inauguration in January 2025—an invitation no other European leader received.

During the meeting, Meloni urged for increased U.S. gas exports and encouraged investment by Italian companies in the U.S. She also expressed support for Trump’s opposition to “woke culture” and to policies of “diversity and inclusion.”

Meloni invited Trump to visit Rome, and he accepted, though no date has yet been set. While Trump has previously shown little interest in European leaders, his enthusiasm for Meloni was clearly evident.

“Everyone likes her and respects her—that can’t be said for many,” said Trump. “I’d say she’s taken Europe by storm.”