Meloni Sparks New US-EU Dialogue in Rome

In a bold diplomatic move, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni brought U.S. Vice President JD Vance and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the same table on Sunday — and may have just jumpstarted a stalled transatlantic relationship.

The high-profile meeting, held just steps from the Vatican after Pope Leo XVI’s inauguration, marked the first official U.S.-EU leadership sit-down since Donald Trump returned to the White House. With tariffs looming and tensions simmering, expectations were low — but the tone surprised many.

“We hope today is just the beginning,” said Meloni, kicking off the trilateral talks with a call for renewed cooperation. Branding herself a “bridge-builder,” the Italian leader positioned Italy as the conduit between a skeptical Washington and a cautious Brussels.

Vice President Vance echoed the sentiment. “Prime Minister Meloni is offering something rare: an honest path forward,” he said. “This could be the start of long-term trade advantages for both Europe and the United States.”

Just weeks ago, that kind of optimism seemed unthinkable. The Trump administration has imposed sweeping tariffs — 10% on imports and 25% on key industrial goods — targeting Europe alongside other trading partners. And Trump’s own rhetoric hasn’t helped, having accused the EU of being “nastier than China.”

But something shifted in Rome. Von der Leyen, while firm on Europe’s position, was cautiously upbeat: “We both want a good deal,” she said. “Now that we’ve exchanged papers, our teams are working around the clock on the details.”

The timing was no accident. With the eyes of the world on the Vatican, the trilateral summit carried a symbolic weight. Vance, a practicing Catholic, called Pope Leo XVI’s inauguration “a proud moment for the United States.” But what followed was all business.

The leaders didn’t walk away with a deal — but they did walk away talking. That, in this climate, is progress.

Trump has yet to meet formally with von der Leyen, despite a brief exchange at the Pope’s funeral last month. But Sunday’s meeting may have cracked the door open.In a post-meeting message, Meloni called the talks “constructive” and “a step forward for Western unity.” Whether that unity holds will depend on what happens next. For now though, dialogue is back on the table.