Sources of Palazzo Chigi have informed that Premier Giuseppe Conte has received the support of President Donald Trump on some hot dossiers for Italy. Libya, a permanent control room for the Mediterranean and the issue of trade and tariffs.
As regards Libya, Giuseppe Conte can count on American support for the Libya Conference to be held in Italy. This is a key conference that could kick off the next elections in the African country.
Also received the support of Trump for a "permanent control room" between the USA and Italy for the Mediterranean. The control room would give Italy a primary role and a reference point in Europe for Libya. The project will ensure that Italy and the USA are promoters and supporters of the stabilization of the North African country.
Green light also on trade and duties. Guarantees have been given for Italian companies, especially those relating to agri-food products. "Giuseppe Conte is doing a fantastic job," Donald Trump said at the start of the press conference. I very much agree with what you are doing on legal and illegal immigration ”, said the US president, underlining,“ I agree with your border management ”. "Many other countries in Europe should follow Italy's example" on immigration and a tough position at the borders, highlighted the American president.
Donald Trump
“Congratulations on the great electoral victory, Giuseppe my new friend. We must protect our countries from illegal immigration. Many in Europe should follow Giuseppe Conte's example. We agree that a brutal regime like the one in Iran will never have to get hold of nuclear weapons. Italy is a great country for investing. Conte will do a great job, he knows how to promote and sell Italian products. It will reach record figures. With Conte we will talk about duties and trade: we have a deficit with Italy of 31 billion dollars. We have a lot to talk about about trade and about our military. You're ordering planes, lots of planes. The reference is to the F 35. The United States has a very large deficit with Italy, about 31 billion dollars. And I'm sure we'll straighten it out very quickly.
I am willing to meet anyone with whom you need to talk ”, in reference to Iran.” If they want to meet me I am available to meet them at any time, without conditions. Sanctions on Russia will remain as they are. ' Trump supports the construction of the Tap pipeline: "I want something competitive and I hope the prime minister will be able to do it and complete it",
Giuseppe Conte
After a brief greeting in English Giuseppe Conte told Trump that he would continue in his wonderful language, Italian.
He greeted the "NIAF" association present and gave condolences to the families of Americans who died in the California fires.
“With this fruitful meeting we have taken a further step forward for our cooperation: we are two governments of change, so many things unite us. With the control room in Libya there is almost a twinning between the USA and Italy. America recognizes our role as a privileged interlocutor. We are organizing a conference on Libya with President Trump. We will address and discuss with all stakeholders the problem of stabilizing the country in order to allow Libya to reach democratic elections in a framework of stability. I illustrated to Trump the innovative approach on the issue of migrants, an approach that does not leave all the weight on the countries of first landing. President Trump is appreciating this Italian approach which is bearing fruit. I expressed my satisfaction with the US-EU agreement to President Trump. It is essential to have a fairer business relationship. Trump and I agree on the need to diversify energy sources. Both at the G7 and at NATO we had a profitable exchange of positions. The US expresses the need to rebalance spending, all reasonable positions, we will "negotiate". As a lawyer, I can say that Trump is an excellent negotiator, a great defender of American interests. I am envious of the numbers of American growth, but I am also ambitious to do the same, more than what has been done in the past. We are preparing some structural reforms, I would not like tax reform, which is a lever for economic growth, to be put aside. There was a clear position from Trump on NATO that I share. The need to rebalance spending which is currently unbalanced. These are reasonable positions that I highly value. We have to negotiate to find the balance point. Immigration is also a security issue. Foreign fighters, terrorists who threaten Europe, can arrive through immigration routes. We know that the sanctions (Russia) cannot disappear at any moment but we hope that they do not affect civil society. Italy is perfectly aware that TAP is a strategic work for southern Europe and the Mediterranean ”. As far as the F 35 is concerned, it is a program approved in 2002, over a considerable period of time for security and defense needs. The Government will responsibly evaluate the dossier, all choices will be weighed in the light of security and defense needs in full harmony with our partner Trump ”.