Premier Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday that the European Union must engage with the United States on a political level rather than a bureaucratic one as it seeks to stop President Donald Trump from following through on threats to impose big tariffs on imports from the EU.
"The relationship with the US is crucial to maintain the strength of the West," Meloni told industrial employers' association Confindustria's assembly in Bologna.
"Our destinies are intertwined.
"During my visit to Washington (last month) I proposed a meeting in Rome between the EU and the US.
"An initial meeting took place on May 18 at (the premier's office at) Palazzo Chigi with (US Vice President JD) Vance and (European Commission President Ursula) von der Leyen.
