Vance visits Rome prior to Easter, conferring with Meloni at the Vatican
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JD Vance's European Tour: Tariffs, Trade, and Trinity TroublesHave a gander
The United States Vice President, JD Vance, kicked off his European tour with a meeting with Italy's new, hardline Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. Their tete-a-tete focused on trade and tariffs, with Vance discussing the future of negotiations with the European Union [3].
Advertising Woes
Meloni's visit came shortly after her tête-à-tête with former President Donald Trump in Washington. Trump, who had imposed 20-percent tariffs on EU exports, later suspended them for 90 days. This encounter was Meloni's first with a European leader since she imposed those tariffs [3].
These tariffs could have severe implications for Italy, which exports around 10 percent of its goods to the United States. The ongoing trade tensions could also impact the possibility of an EU-US trade deal.
Squabbles with the Pope
Vance's trip to Rome also included a meeting with the Pope's right-hand man, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and a visit to the Vatican for the Easter celebrations. Vance and his family attended the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord at St Peter's Basilica and were given a private tour of Castel Sant'Angelo later on [2].
Hardline views in Rome
The meetings tackled various political subjects, with Vance briefing Meloni on ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union, as well as the situation in Ukraine [2]. His statements seemed optimistic, suggesting a desire to bring the ongoing conflict to a close [2].
However, these optimistic views did not align with the more skeptical comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed readiness to move on should peace not be imminent in the short term [2].
Political Positions
Meloni's views on trade and migration closely mirror those of the new U.S. administration, which was evident in their Oval Office meeting the previous day [3]. Meloni positioned herself as the only European leader capable of de-escalating the trade war, while Vance emphasized the importance of strengthening the West [2].
Setting the stage for a broader U.S.-Europe summit during Trump’s upcoming visit, the White House is considering involving other European leaders to address trade and geopolitical issues [3]. Despite the discussions regarding Ukraine, there were no explicit details included in the available reports [3].
From trade tensions to religious celebrations, JD Vance's European tour was off to a political and religious start!
Footnotes:
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- JD Vance, the US Vice President, discussed trade and tariffs with Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, in hopes of resolving future negotiations with the European Union in January.
- The tariffs imposed by Meloni could potentially have severe implications for Italy, as it exports around 10 percent of its goods to the United States, causing ongoing trade tensions that could also impact an EU-US trade deal.
- During his visit to Rome, Vance met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope's right-hand man, and attended Easter celebrations at St Peter's Basilica, followed by a private tour of Castel Sant'Angelo.
- The political discussions between Vance and Meloni addressed various subjects, including ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union and the situation in Ukraine, with Vance expressing optimism about ending the conflict.
- Meloni's views on trade and migration closely align with those of the new US administration, setting the stage for a broader U.S.-Europe summit during Trump's upcoming visit.
- In Rome, Meloni assumed the role of the only European leader capable of de-escalating the trade war, while Vance emphasized the importance of strengthening the West, with the White House considering involving other European leaders to address trade and geopolitical issues.
