‘I am aware of what I represent', says Meloni ahead of Trump meeting

The Italian Prime Minister is on her way to the U.S. for her first bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump, as the EU seeks to avert an all-out trade war.

"I am aware of what I represent and I am aware of what I am defending," Giorgia Meloni said ahead of her visit in which she will attempt to appease Trump while keeping her European neighbors onside.

Speaking at an event in Rome celebrating Italian excellence, she admitted that it's a difficult moment.

"Let's remember that we have the strength, capacity, intelligence, and creativity to overcome every obstacle. We have overcome worse obstacles and we will overcome others."

According to Italy's latest Institute of Statistics figures, the U.S. is Italy's second largest export market, worth $76.3 billion.

But Italy, with the rest of Europe, is now facing possible U.S. import tariffs of up to 35 percent.

In a bid to facilitate negotiations, the EU last week paused its countermeasures, and the Italian premier announced her trip to the White House on the bloc's behalf.

Italy's deputy Finance Minister Lucia Albano told CGTN that the government is trying its best to propose the best solution.

She said: "The key point remains keeping the two sides of the West united and, through the Prime minister Giorgia Meloni, bringing the voice of Italy and Europe to the United States." 

The Italian products most at risk include protected Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DO) food and wine, machinery, and pharmaceuticals.

Lazio winery Casa Divina Provvidenza dates back 200 years, and the U.S. is the company's biggest international market.

However, co-owner Piera Cosmi says with the immediate future unknown, orders have been brought to a halt.

"It is a situation of uncertainty that worries us. Wine is one of the key areas of Italian exports, not just in the U.S. but around the world, so it's a product that must be protected, like all Made in Italy products" she told CGTN.

The EU is encouraging a "zero-for-zero" tariff agreement. However, Economics Professor Valentina Meliciani from Rome's Luiss University, told CGTN that it's not what Trump is looking for.

"Even with zero tariffs probably, or very likely, that would not be pursued just because European goods at the moment are more competitive than American ones."