Trump says he's in 'no rush' to end tariffs as he meets with Italy's Meloni

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday he is in “no rush” to reach any trade deals because he views tariffs as making the United States wealthy. But he suggested while meeting with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni that it would be easy to find an agreement with the European Union and others.

Trump played down the likelihood of an accelerated timeline to wrap up deals, saying other countries “want to make deals more than I do.”

“We're in no rush,” said Trump, hinting he has leverage because other countries want access to U.S. consumers.

Even though Trump has a warm relationship with Meloni, she was unable in their meeting to change his mind on tariffs.

“No, tariffs are making us rich. We were losing a lot of money under Biden,” Trump said of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden. “And now that whole tide is turned.”

Trump is convinced that his devotion to tariffs will yield unprecedented wealth for his country even as the stock market has dropped, interest on U.S. debt has risen and CEOs are warning of price increases and job losses in what increasingly looks like a threat to the existing structure of the world economy.

A bond market panic was enough for Trump to partially pull back on his tariffs, causing him to pause his 20% import taxes on the EU for 90 days and charge a baseline 10% instead. Meloni's visit showed the challenge faced even by leaders who enjoy a rapport with Trump.

After they met, Trump told reporters that trade talks were easier than other business negotiations such as mergers. He said he had spoken with Chinese officials about tariffs “a lot” and the amount of his import taxes could be influenced by China approving a sale of the social media site TikTok. He also seemed to contradict his previous statement Thursday morning about being in no rush to make trade deals “over the next three or four weeks.”

Even then, Trump showed no interest in fully severing his tariffs.

“Tariff negotiations are actually simpler than everyone has said,” Trump said. “A number of people are going to pay that number or they’re going to decide to go elsewhere if there is such a place. There really is no elsewhere.”

Meloni had, in a sense, been “knighted” to represent the EU at a critical juncture in the fast-evolving trade war that has stoked recession fears. The U.S. administration has belittled its European counterparts for not doing enough on national security while threatening their economies with tariffs, sparking deep uncertainty about the future of the trans-Atlantic alliance.

She sought to portray the U.S. and Europe as natural allies in Western civilization and said it was important to “try to sit down and find solution” to tensions over trade and national security.

“The goal for me is to make the West great again,” Meloni told Trump.

The EU is defending what it calls “the most important commercial relationship in the world,’’ with annual trade with the U.S. totaling 1.6 trillion euros ($1.8 trillion). It was unclear, based on Meloni's public interactions with Trump, whether the premier has a clear understanding of what Trump wants as part of an agreement.

His administration has said its tariffs would enable trade negotiations that would box out China, the world's dominant manufacturer. But Trump maintains that rivals and allies alike have taken advantage of the U.S. on trade, a position that has frustrated long-standing partners and raised concerns about whether Trump is a trustworthy dealmaker.

Trump tried to push back against claims that his tariffs are harming the economy, saying that gasoline and egg prices are already dropping. The president blamed the Federal Reserve for interest rates rising on U.S. debt. Rates largely increased because investors were worried about Trump's tariff plans and they became less willing to buy Treasury notes, while the central bank has held steady on its own benchmark rates because of economic uncertainty.

“We have very little inflation," Trump said. “I would say we have essentially no inflation.”

The EU had already engaged with Trump administration officials in Washington. Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commissioner for trade and economic security, said he met Monday with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Šefčovič said afterward on X that it would “require a significant joint effort on both sides” to get to zero tariffs and work on nontariff trade barriers, with Trump's team specifically objecting to Europe's use of value added taxes.

As the head of a far-right party, Meloni is ideologically aligned with Trump on issues including curbing migration, promoting traditional values and skepticism toward multilateral institutions. But stark differences have emerged in Meloni’s unwavering support for Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February 2022.

The two leaders discussed the war and Italy's role in an eventual postwar reconstruction of Ukraine. Trump has previously pressed Meloni to increase Italy's defense spending, which last year fell well below the 2% of gross domestic product target for countries in the NATO military alliance. Italy’s spending, at 1.49% of its gross domestic product, is among the lowest in Europe.

"We didn’t speak about how much that percentage would be increased, even though we are truly aware that the theme of defense is particularly important,” Meloni said.

Despite the differences on Ukraine and defense spending, Meloni is seen by some in the U.S. administration as a vital bridge to Europe.

She was the only European leader to attend Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration and she has responded with restraint as shifts in U.S. policy under Trump have frayed the U.S.-European alliance. Meloni has denounced the tariffs as "wrong" and warned that “dividing the West would be disastrous for everyone” after Trump’s heated White House exchange with Ukraine’s president.

Italy maintains a 40 billion euro ($45 billion) trade surplus with the U.S., its largest with any country, fueled by Americans’ appetite for Italian sparkling wine, foodstuffs like Parmigiano Reggiano hard cheese and Parma ham, and Italian luxury fashion. These are all sectors critical to the Italian economy, and mostly supported by small- and medium-sized producers who are core center-right voters.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over global uncertainty generated by the escalating tariff wars. Italy’s growth forecast for this year has already been slashed from 1% to 0.5% as a result.

The White House has imposed tariffs on much of the world, arguing that other countries have taken advantage of the U.S., as evidenced by its trade deficits. But with the 90-day pause, it increased Trump's tariffs on China to 145% while keep separate ones as much as 25% on Canada, Mexico, autos, steel and aluminum.

On Wednesday, Trump met with Japan's chief trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa. Trump, on social media, summarized the meeting as achieving “Big progress!” but he did not offer any specifics.

China is simultaneously seeking to strike deals that could possibly undercut claims made by Trump that his tariffs will ultimately lead to more domestic factory jobs and stronger growth.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday the administration is working on the “big 15 economies” first when it comes to trade deals. He said South Korean officials will visit Washington next week.

Barry reported from Milan. Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels and Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni listens as she meets with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump listens before a luncheon with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen as President Donald Trump speaks before a luncheon with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump speaks before a luncheon with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington, as from left, Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Ambassador to Italy nominee Tilman Fertitta listen. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump listens before a luncheon with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks before a luncheon with President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump speaks before a luncheon with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are seated before lunch in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump, center, greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, right, upon her arrival at the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

President Donald Trump greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump, left, greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon her arrival at the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

President Donald Trump greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump, center, greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, right, upon her arrival at the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

President Donald Trump greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Bottles of olive oil produced in Italy are displayed at Italian grocery store in the Little Italy neighborhood, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Jeff Gibbs, owner of Gibbs Cheese, reaches for Pecorino Romano cheese imported from Sardinia, Italy, at his shop in Findlay Market, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Containers are stored at a container terminal in Duisburg, Germany, the day after President Trump announced new tariffs for the EU and the rest of the world, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

FILE - Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni holds a year-end press conference in Rome, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The massive military parade that President Donald Trump has long wanted is set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday evening, with tanks, bands and thousands of troops.

And the biggest question marks are whether it will be overshadowed or delayed by either the weather in Washington or planned protests elsewhere around the country.

Falling on Trump’s 79th birthday, the parade was added just a few weeks ago to the Army’s long-planned 250th anniversary celebration. It has triggered criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates down along the route.

The daylong display of America’s Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use his fighting forces in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided, inviting an array of lawsuits and accusations that he is politicizing the military.

He has deployed the California National Guard and U.S. Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests tied to immigration raids. It marks the first time in 60 years that a president activated the National Guard on federal orders inside a state without a governor’s permission, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom has filed a lawsuit to stop the deployments.

Earlier in the week, Trump raised eyebrows during a speech at Fort Bragg when members of the 82nd Airborne Division were directed to stand behind Trump and they booed and cheered during his incendiary remarks, including condemnation of his predecessor, Joe Biden. There also was a pop-up “Make America Great Again” merchandise stand nearby selling souvenirs to troops in uniform.

The Defense Department has a doctrine that prohibits troops from participating in political activity while in uniform. Members of Congress and military leaders have expressed concerns about the political displays during the speech at Fort Bragg.

Trump so far has shrugged off concerns about the parade cost, the rainy forecast and the potential for protests.

“What a day it will be!!!” Trump wrote on his social media site, adding later that he hoped the weather would cooperate but that if it doesn't, “that brings you good luck. That’s OK too. Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t affect the tanks at all. Doesn’t affect the soldiers. They’re used to it. They’re tough. Smart.”

As for the protests, he warned that “they will be met with very big force.”

The “No Kings” rallies planned in hundreds of cities nationwide are meant to counter what organizers say are Trump’s plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day. No protests are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., however, and officials have said they so far have no indication of any security threat.

About 6 in 10 Americans say Saturday’s parade is “not a good use” of government money, including the vast majority of people, 78%, who neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

The parade will wind down Constitution Avenue, which is already lined with security fencing and barriers. Army helicopters and aircraft will fly above, and the march will be capped off by a parachute jump, a concert featuring “God Bless the U.S.A.” singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks.

With rain expected, there is a chance the parade could be interrupted by thunderstorms.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly has said the march will go on rain or shine. But it could be delayed if there is lightning, with authorities quick to empty the expansive National Mall if it happens during major events.

The parade fulfills Trump's expressed desire for a big parade that he tried to get done in his first presidential term after seeing one in France on Bastille Day in 2017. Trump said that after watching the two-hour procession along the famed Champs-Élysées, he wanted an even grander one on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The Army expects as many as 200,000 people could attend the festival and parade. The festival will begin around 9:30 a.m. EDT and feature fitness competitions, demonstrations, equipment displays, music and a cake-cutting ceremony.

The parade is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT, but parts of it — including the horse-drawn caissons and other units — start at the Pentagon, head over a bridge and meet up with some of the heavier tanks and equipment. Officials did not want the more-than-60-ton M1A1 Abrams tanks and Stryker vehicles crossing the bridge.

Timed down to the minute, the march will be divided into sections by history — with equipment and troops in full dress from each period.

It will include a total of 6,169 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery, while 62 aircraft fly overhead.

At the end of the parade, Trump will swear in 250 new or reenlisting troops, and the Army's Golden Knights parachute team will jump onto the Mall. That will be followed by the concert and fireworks.

Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price and Tara Copp contributed to this report.

Soldiers prepare ahead of wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

The Washington Monument is seen as dump trucks block an intersection ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A picture of President Donald Trump lays on the ground near the White House ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A fence blocks access to the White House ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The Washington Monument is seen as dump trucks block an intersection ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The U.S. Capitol is seen as dump trucks block an intersection ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Preparations continue on Constitution Avenue ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary that coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Army SSG Jason Craig, from left, Army Sgt. Blake Oakley, Army 1st Lt. Lukas Nicoloff, Army 1st Lt. Michael Ramirez and Army 1st Lt. Sean Buck lift a weighted "worm" as they practice ahead of the Army Fittest Squad competition, Friday, June 13, 2025, by the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall in Washington, during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin).

People walk in between security fencing and concrete barricades toward a large photograph of President Donald Trump and President Abraham Lincoln, draped on the USDA building, Friday, June 13, 2025, on the National Mall in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

People look at a military helicopter with the Capitol in the background, Friday, June 13, 2025, on the National Mall in Washington, during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)