President Donald J. Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met officially for the first time in Washington, D.C. yesterday to strengthen their strategic alliance and plan extensive cooperation across security, economic, and technological domains, according to a joint statement released Friday.
The leaders committed to strengthening their partnership because they view the U.S.-Italy alliance as essential to solving modern global issues.
In the statement, the conflict in Ukraine emerged as a central topic. Both countries underscored that the war must end and fully endorsed Trump’s leadership in brokering a ceasefire and delivering a just and lasting peace.
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Both nations reiterated their unwavering commitment to NATO, pledging to enhance their collective and individual capacities to meet alliance goals and ensure national security and defense capabilities are aligned and funded for current and future risks. Defense cooperation is set to deepen, focusing on a transatlantic supply chain, increased equipment and technology collaboration, including co-production and co-development, while protecting industrial capacity from foreign adversaries.
Addressing migration, the joint statement reaffirmed a shared commitment to countering illegal immigration and ensuring legal migration benefits both nations without creating security issues. Efforts to combat international organized crime groups involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking will be increased. Additionally, the U.S. and Italy will enhance joint efforts to fight illicit synthetic drugs, particularly opioids, and the criminal networks trafficking them.
On the economic front, the leaders agreed to work towards ensuring trade between the U.S. and Europe is mutually beneficial, fair, and reciprocal. They emphasized the importance of a non-discriminatory environment for digital services taxation to encourage tech investments. The statement welcomed American investments in AI computing and cloud services in Italy, positioning Italy as a key regional data hub for the Mediterranean and North Africa.
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Industrial cooperation is also a priority, with both countries committing to developing a skilled workforce and strengthening their industrial bases and supply chains. Italy will contribute to the U.S. shipbuilding sector, while the U.S. will explore investment opportunities in Italy, citing the positive business environment and incentives from the new Single Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Energy security cooperation will continue, focusing on diversifying Italy’s energy supply and increasing U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Italy.
A significant regional initiative highlighted was the commitment to develop the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), described as a major 21st-century connectivity project linking partners via ports, railways, and undersea cables from India through the Gulf and Israel to Italy and onward to the U.S. The leaders also noted they would cooperate on crucial infrastructure projects, considering the potential of Italy’s Mattei Plan, following the example of President Trump’s “successful Abraham Accords approach.”
In the realm of technology, the U.S. and Italy pledged to protect national critical and sensitive infrastructure by using only trusted vendors, emphasizing that the strategic alliance means no discrimination between U.S. and Italian vendors. Space technology partnerships will continue, including collaboration on two Mars missions in 2026 and 2028 and participation in future Artemis lunar exploration missions. Cooperation will also explore partnerships in future technologies such as 6G, AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology to protect data from adversaries.
Prime Minister Meloni extended an invitation to President Trump for an official visit to Italy in the near future, which President Trump accepted. The statement noted that consideration would be given to holding a meeting between the U.S. and Europe on that occasion.
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