Trump has lauded Italy's right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a "fantastic leader." Their affinity has put pressure on the EU flag-bearer.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday amid a tense trade standoff with the European Union over tariffs. Meloni’s visit to Washington makes her the first European leader to meet the president since he announced tariffs on European imports earlier this month.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is heading to the US to meet Donald Trump – a visit that will see her walk a tightrope between representing the interests of the EU and remaining in the US president's good books.