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President Trump met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy at the White House. Credit…Eric Lee/The New York Times

President Trump met yesterday with one of the few European leaders he actually likes: Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. As Trump greeted her at the White House, he said that “there’ll be a trade deal, 100 percent” with the E.U. before the end of the 90-day pause on some tariffs.

Meloni has been clear that she cannot negotiate an agreement for the E.U. But U.S. officials said they believed the prime minister, a conservative, could be a conduit to the rest of Europe. The European Central Bank cut interest rates yesterday as policymakers grappled with economic uncertainty, particularly as a result of Trump’s chaotic trade policies.

Trump also said that “we are going to make a very good deal with China,” which has been hit by U.S. tariffs of 145 percent. Negotiations between the two governments appear to be limited. Japanese officials left the White House on Wednesday without an agreement. Trump, though, said they were getting closer to one.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, tomorrow. Credit…Vahid Salemi/Associated Press

Iranian and U.S. officials are set to meet tomorrow in Rome for a second round of nuclear talks. But Iranian officials said the White House had been shifting messages about what it wants from an agreement.

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