U.S. vice president meets EU Commission chief, hopes to move forward trade talks

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Sunday to launch long-term EU–U.S. trade talks, with both sides having already exchanged negotiating papers to tackle their tariff differences.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met on Sunday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, expressing hope that their discussion would advance EU–U.S. trade negotiations.

“Europe is a vital U.S. ally,” Vance said alongside von der Leyen and Meloni after attending Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass, “but—as close friends—we naturally have our differences, particularly on trade. I’m optimistic this conversation marks the start of meaningful, long-term negotiations and mutual economic benefits.”

Washington currently levies a 25% tariff on steel, aluminum and automobiles, plus a general 10% tariff on most imports, with an additional reciprocal 10% threat hanging over EU goods if talks stall after the 90-day truce.

Von der Leyen highlighted that EU–U.S. trade is the world’s largest, exceeding $1.5 trillion annually, and noted that both sides have already exchanged negotiating papers to probe the details. “Now that our experts are diving into these documents,” she said, “we’re focused on ironing out the specifics—because while the devil is in the details, our goal is a fair deal for everyone.”

Since President Trump’s return to office in January, von der Leyen has yet to secure a formal bilateral meeting with him, aside from a brief exchange at Pope Francis’s funeral. In addition to tariffs, she plans to raise issues including Ukraine and defense spending with Vance.

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