‘I am aware of what I represent‘, says Meloni ahead of Trump meeting

CGTN Europe

The Italian Prime Minister is on her way to the U.S. for her first bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump, as the EU seeks to avert an all-out trade war. "I am aware of what I represent and I am aware of what I am defending," Giorgia Meloni said ahead of her visit in which she will attempt to appease Donald Trump while keeping her European neighbors onside. Speaking at an event in Rome celebrating Italian excellence, she admitted that it's a difficult moment.

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00:00Made in Italy is not just a brand, but recognition of the country's unique quality and style,

00:06a craftsmanship of global value that could fall victim to a transatlantic trade war.

00:13Let's remember that we have the strength, capacity, intelligence and creativity to overcome every obstacle.

00:19We have overcome worse obstacles and we will overcome others.

00:21The US is Italy's second largest export market, worth 76.3 billion US dollars.

00:30But Italy, with the rest of Europe, is now facing possible US import tariffs of up to 35%.

00:36In a bid to facilitate negotiations, last week the EU paused its countermeasures

00:41and Georgia Maloney announced her trip to the White House on the bloc's behalf.

00:46The government and the Prime Minister are working to confront the theme of tariffs.

00:53However, the key point remains keeping the two sides of the West united

00:57and through Prime Minister Giorgio Maloney, bringing the voice of Italy and Europe to the United States.

01:06The larger winery Casa Divina Providenza dates back 200 years

01:11and the US is the company's biggest international market.

01:14However, with the immediate future unknown, orders have been brought to a halt.

01:22It's this uncertain situation that worries us.

01:25Wine is one of the key areas of Italian exports, not just to the US, but around the world.

01:31So it's a product that must be protected, like all of Made in Italy products.

01:36The EU is encouraging a zero-for-zero tariff agreement, but an increase in military spending

01:50and more flexibility on the Green Deal could be more effective bargaining chips.

01:55Even with zero tariffs, probably, or very likely, that would not be pursued,

02:02just because European goods at the moment are more competitive than American ones.

02:11The Italian products most at risk include dock, food and wine, machinery and pharmaceuticals.

02:17Prime Minister Giorgio Maloney says it's difficult to predict the full impact of possible US tariffs on Italy's exports,

02:25but that she's already working on a plan to neutralise any negative effects,

02:29with one option redirecting EU COVID recovery funds.

02:33Other topics on the agenda are expected to be the Middle East and Ukraine.

02:37Prime Minister Maloney will then continue her delicate balancing act

02:41when she welcomes US Vice President J.D. Vance to Rome on Friday.

02:46Hermione Kitson, CGTN, Rome.

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