By Sama Marwan,
Rome, Italy – US Vice President J.D. Vance on Sunday, May 18, 2025, emphasized that Europe remains a crucial ally for the United States, even as he acknowledged ongoing disagreements on trade issues. His remarks came after a meeting in Rome with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The trilateral meeting took place in Rome after all three leaders attended the inaugural Mass for Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. Vance expressed hope that their discussions would pave the way for “long-term trade negotiations and some long-term trade advantages” between the EU and the United States.
“I’ve said repeatedly that I think Europe is an important ally of the United States, the individual countries within Europe are important allies of the United States,”1 Vance stated in televised comments at the start of the meeting. “But of course we have some disagreements, as friends sometimes do, on issues like trade, and we also have many agreements and many things that we can work on together, and I’m looking forward to this conversation.”2
This positive tone regarding US-EU trade marks a notable shift from recent rhetoric, particularly since President Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs earlier this year. In April, Trump announced a 20% tariff on most EU goods, along with higher duties on products like steel, aluminum, cars, and car parts, though the implementation of a further 10% tariff on EU imports has been paused until early July.
For her part, Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged the “very special and close relationship” between the US and the European Union, which boasts the world’s largest trade relationship, exceeding $1.5 trillion annually. “Everybody knows that the devil is in the detail, but what unites us is that at the end we want, together, to have a good deal for both sides,” the EU chief3 stated. She also indicated that the EU has presented its proposals for negotiations, and “our experts are deep diving, discussing the details.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has aimed to serve as a bridge between Washington and Brussels, expressed optimism for a “new beginning” in trade relations. “We know how important is the relations between the EU and the US for a strong West, for our civilisation, also for our economic relations,” she said.
The4 discussions in Rome were also expected to cover broader geopolitical issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also attended the meeting.
Background of Trade Tensions:
The current trade landscape between the US and EU has been marked by tensions under the Trump administration.5 President Trump has previously made unsubstantiated claims that the EU was created to “screw” the US and described the bloc as “nastier than China.” While the US enjoys a trade surplus in services with Europe, which largely offsets the goods deficit, US officials have frequently focused on the latter as a point of contention.
Earlier this year, Vice President Vance had adopted a more critical stance towards European allies, particularly during his appearance at the Munich Security Conference in February, where he criticized aspects of European policies including free speech and migration.6 However, his recent comments in Rome signal a more conciliatory approach from the US administration, emphasizing cooperation and the potential for mutual trade benefits.
The current talks are seen as crucial steps towards de-escalating trade disputes and fostering a more predictable environment for trade and investment between the two major economic blocs. While significant joint efforts will be needed to reach mutually beneficial solutions, the willingness of both sides to engage in high-level discussions offers a hopeful outlook for future transatlantic trade relations.
