Italian PM Giorgia Meloni met with President Donald Trump in the White House on Thursday where she said she was in town to make a deal. She was asked about Trump's tariffs, and if she thought the US was "still a reliable trade partner."
Meloni replied "Well I'm here to make the west stronger. I believe in the west's unity. And I think simply we have to talk and find ourselves in the best middle way to grow together. And that's why I'm here."
"She believes in the president," Trump threw out.
"If I didn't think it was a reliable partner I wouldn't be here," Meloni said.
"We have a very good relationship," Trump said, "together and as countries we have a good relationship."
A reporter asked what would happen in the event that a trade agreement was not reached within the 90-day time period that Trump has specified.
"Oh, there'll be a trade deal," Trump said, "why, you think there won't be? Of course there'll be a trade deal." He emphasized that it would be a "fair deal."
In their joint press conference from the Oval Office, Meloni said "I'm proud of sitting here as prime minister of an Italy that today has a very good situation despite the difficulties, a stable country, a really reliable country." She spoke about 1 million new jobs added, low interest rates, and a decrease in migration to Italy.
"Forgive me," she said, "if I promote a bit my country, but you're a business man and you understand me."
Meloni said further that she and Trump were united on Ukraine and their quest for a lasting peace in that region.
