Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to travel to Washington on April 17 for a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

This will mark their fourth encounter overall, following previous meetings in Paris, a visit to Mar-a-Lago, and Meloni's attendance at Trump's inauguration.

This meeting represents the first official bilateral discussion between the Italian leader and the Republican president at the White House.

During preliminary discussions, Meloni emphasized the need to address trade tariffs, proposing a framework for reciprocal tariff elimination on industrial goods, referred to as "ZERO PER ZERO." She noted that this concept has gained traction, as echoed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Meloni highlighted the commitment of both her administration and European officials to engage in negotiations aimed at reducing trade barriers.

The upcoming meeting coincides with significant developments regarding trade policy, particularly as the European Union prepares to implement counter-tariffs in response to the U.S.’s outlined customs measures on steel and aluminum, a proposal which had previously been on hold.

These tariffs are expected to be a central topic during discussions, with Meloni advocating for a measured approach to avoid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and the EU. Italy positions itself among nations seeking to prevent an intensification of what has been termed a "trade war" and aims to foster constructive relations amidst these complexities.

Key points on the agenda will include discussions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Meloni is expected to present a proposal to Trump for extending NATO’s Article 5 to Ukraine, thereby providing a security guarantee without a formal accession of Ukraine to NATO.

This proposal seeks to strike a balance in ensuring security for Ukraine while considering NATO's operational guidelines.

Another significant topic will be defense commitments, as Trump has called for increased financial contributions from NATO allies, suggesting a target of 5% of GDP, alongside implications that the United States could reconsider its participation in NATO if these expectations are not met.

Italy acknowledges the importance of increasing its defense budget and, in alignment with France and other European partners, has requested the exclusion of military expenditures from the Stability Pact, which Italy advocates should be re-evaluated.

Additionally, discussions may touch upon Italy's stance regarding China, particularly concerning trade practices and the influx of Chinese products into the European market.

The bilateral meeting arrives in the context of heightened international focus on geopolitical dynamics, further underscored by a recent meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Trump at the White House.