We're going to have very little problem making a deal with Europe, says Trump

Giorgia Meloni said Donald Trump had accepted her invitation for an official trip to Rome, as the pair met in Washington in an attempt by the Italian prime minister to bridge the gap between the EU and US amid trade tariff tensions.

- Angela Giuffrida

Meloni said Trump's trip could happen "in the near future" and could present an opportunity for him to meet other European leaders.

"The goal for me is to make the west great again," Meloni said.

Trump opened the summit in the White House's Oval Office yesterday by paying tribute to Meloni: "She's doing a great job, certainly one of our great allies," he said. "She's a fantastic person and doing a great job and our relationship is great."

Trump and Meloni had earlier both expressed optimism about resolving the EU-US trade conflict. The EU faces 25% import tariffs on steel and aluminum and cars, and broader tariffs on most other goods, under Trump's policy to hit countries that he says impose high barriers to US imports.

"I am sure we can make a deal and I am here to help with that," Meloni said before the summit.