Several EU governments have signalled they want a quick deal with the US to head off Donald Trump’s threat of 50 per cent tariffs on the bloc, urging the European Commission to keep talking to Washington rather than taking the path of confrontation.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke to commission president Ursula von der Leyen over the weekend, calling on her to resolve differences with Trump through negotiations, according to Italian officials.
The Brussels body added that the Italian leader was one of several EU leaders who spoke to the commission president after Trump’s announcement on Friday of his plans for the increased tariffs.