Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni clapped back at reporters and dropped a powerful new populist slogan on Thursday at the White House. Before stepping into the Oval Office, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with President Trump and his cabinet to talk trade. The press showed up eager to ignite a headline, hoping for signs of a looming tariff war between the U.S. and the EU.
But Meloni didn't take the bait. Instead of grandstanding, she delivered a steady, confident show of diplomacy-and extended a personal invitation to President Trump.
When a reporter tried to stir the pot, asking, "The retaliatory tariffs that the European Commission passed and then suspended, are they still on the table if you cannot make a deal with President Trump?"-Meloni didn't blink.
"I am sure we can make a deal," she said.
She made it clear she wasn't there on behalf of Brussels. Her focus was on building trust. "I'm here to help on that. I cannot, look, deal in the name of the European Union," she explained.
"My goal would be to invite President Trump to pay a visit to Italy and understand if there's a possibility when he comes to organize also such a meeting with Europe."
Her approach was refreshingly direct. Skip the drama. Talk straight. Find common ground. "I think the best way is that we simply speak frankly about the needs that everyone has, and find ourselves in the middle for-that's useful for all," she said.
After lunch, the cameras rolled inside the Oval Office, and President Trump did something rare-he offered unfiltered praise.
"
She has taken Europe by storm," he said, setting the tone right away. "It's an honor to have the prime minister of Italy with us. Prime Minister Meloni, who's doing a fantastic job."
"Everybody loves her and respects her, and I can't say that about many people," Trump added.
"She's become a friend, and we really have a great relationship between Italy and ourselves."
What unfolded in that room wasn't politics as usual. It was strength recognizing strength.
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