Trump says he’s optimistic about a trade deal with Europe
President Trump expressed optimism about a deal with Europe before the end of a 90-day pause in steep global tariffs. Most countries now face just 10 percent tariffs on imports to the U.S., rather than 20 percent or more.
“There’ll be a trade deal 100%,” Trump said during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “We’re going to make fair deals.”
He added: “We’re in no rush. We are going to have very little problem making a deal with Europe or anyone else.”
Earlier Thursday, a senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that the massive trade deficit the U.S. runs with EU members, including Italy, “bothers the president.”
“So I think he’s certainly going to want to level the plane, as he said several times with the EU just as with other trading partners,” the official said.
Meloni, who was tapped to speak for the European Union, is the first European leader to meet with Trump at the White House since he announced — and then delayed — a 20% tariff on exports from the EU.
Asked by a reporter whether she thought the U.S. was a reliable trading partner, Meloni, who has criticized tariffs, said: “I believe in the West’s unity and I think we have to talk … and find ourselves in the best middle way to grow together. If I wouldn’t think it was a reliable partner, I wouldn’t be here.”
Also likely on the agenda in the meeting between the two leaders is NATO spending. Trump wants NATO allies to spend 2% of their GDP on defense. Italy spends 1.49%, and has announced plans to raise that to 2%.
Trump is likely to want to hear how Italy plans to increase its spending.
“Anything Italy can do acknowledging that the prime minister has a fractious political coalition, like many Italian prime ministers have in the past, and anything she can do to reach what was set as a benchmark for NATO 10 years ago, 2% spending threshold, I think is going to be much needed,” the senior administration official told reporters.
She hoped key research could help save her eyesight. Then the Trump funding cuts came
Jessica Chaikof says research into gene therapies could someday save her eyesight. But she worries cuts to federal research funding could mean that therapy won't be ready in time.
6 new books out this week, including true stories of trailblazers
But for many working adults, the summer can often feel the same as the rest of the year. So, maybe our idea of a "summer read" should encompass a wider swath of books? Here are a few out this week.
TikTok bans #SkinnyTok. But content promoting unhealthy eating persists
The social media platform TikTok recently banned a hashtag called #SkinnyTok after European regulators warned it was promoting extreme weight loss. But eliminating this kind of content is not easy.
RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz say health insurers will cut red tape on ‘prior authorizations’
In recent years, health insurers ramped up the practice of requiring doctors to get their approval before tests and procedures. On Monday, health leaders announced voluntary reforms from insurers.
The Trump administration is making an unprecedented reach for data held by states
States hold troves of sensitive personal data that were previously never shared with the federal government or across federal agencies. The Trump administration is trying to change that.
Purple Heart Army veteran self-deports after nearly 50 years in the U.S.
Sae Joon Park left for South Korea on Monday. His removal order was the result of drug possession and bail jumping charges from over 15 years ago — offenses that, he said, stemmed from untreated PTSD.
