Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni apparently had a crucial role in convincing the White House to delay the imposing of the 50% punitive tariffs on certain EU products.
Conservative outlet Il Giornale said Meloni “had worked all weekend” to prepare the ground for the phone call that then occurred between U.S. President Donald Trump and Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Monday. Apparently, Meloni was coordinating with Vice President JD Vance over the weekend and was in “continuous contact” the von der Leyen.
The newspaper highlighted that the Italian premier once again confirmed her role as a “bridge” between the United States and the European Union, thanks to her excellent relations with both the U.S. president and the vice president.
Unnamed EU sources confirmed to Italian news agency ANSA that Giorgia Meloni and von der Leyen spoke on the phone before the call before the Commission president and Trump.
