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.
Iran’s president defies U.S. demands while apologizing for strikes on neighbors
President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that a demand by the U.S. for an unconditional surrender is a "dream that they should take to their grave." He also apologized for Iran's attacks on regional countries.
What the Trump administration says about why it went to war with Iran
The Trump administration says it is "laser focused" and mission driven, but the messaging has been varied. The range of cited motivations for striking Iran now are sometimes at odds with each other.
Trump looks to turn attention to Western Hemisphere at Americas summit
President Trump is set to gather with Latin American leaders on Saturday at his Miami-area golf club as his administration looks to turn attention to the Western Hemisphere, at least for a moment.
Trump administration’s embattled FDA vaccine chief is leaving for the second time
The FDA's controversial vaccine chief, Dr. Vinay Prasad, is leaving the agency. It's the second time he has abruptly departed following decisions involving the review of vaccinations and specialty drugs.
Family, former presidents and a Hall of Famer give Rev. Jesse Jackson a final sendoff
Several speakers at Jackson's funeral invoked his hallmark catchphrases: "Keep hope alive" and "I am somebody."
Bernard LaFayette, Selma voting rights organizer, dies at 85
Bernard LaFayette, who died Thursday, laid the foundations of the Selma, Alabama, campaign that culminated in the passage of the Voting Rights Act. He was a Freedom Rider and helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
