U.S., EU Officials Meet in Rome to Revitalize Trade Discussions
(MENAFN) The United States' second-in-command, JD Vance, conveyed positive expectations regarding the progression of commerce discussions with the European Union during a gathering in the Italian capital, Rome, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
This three-way conference took place adjacent to the initial religious service of Pope Leo XIV within Vatican City.
Vance articulated that Italy proposed acting as a "bridge builder" connecting the U.S. and Europe, highlighting that despite ongoing commercial disparities, both parties possess shared fundamental objectives and enduring connections.
"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," Vance stated.
“I think we'll have a great conversation, and hopefully it will be the beginning of some long-term trade negotiations,” Vance expressed, extending gratitude to both Meloni and von der Leyen for their willingness to participate.
Von der Leyen emphasized the magnitude of the transatlantic commercial partnership, exceeding $1.5 trillion annually, and affirmed that both sides have exchanged preliminary documentation for specialist-level discussions.
She also underscored mutual objectives pertaining to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as collaborative defense efforts, indicating that the European Commission had allocated €800 billion ($893 billion) for defense expenditures over the ensuing four years.
Von der Leyen conveyed that the two parties aspire to a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine and will “take stock” of defense developments at the forthcoming NATO assembly.
This, she asserted, will inevitably reinforce the European Union, as a robust Europe equates to a strong NATO.
Meloni characterized the Rome symposium as a “new beginning” and reiterated Italy’s function as a mediator of discourse. “We know how important the relation between the EU and the US is for a strong West, for our civilization also for our economic relations,” she declared.
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