Italian PM to meet Trump at White House on July 30

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Europe

US President Donald Trump will meet with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the White House on July 30, the White House said on Wednesday.

"Italy is an important NATO Ally, a leading partner in Afghanistan and Iraq, and key in bringing stability to the Mediterranean region," it said in a statement. "Together, the United States and Italy will look to deepen cooperation in addressing global conflicts and promoting economic prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic."

Earlier this month, Trump praised Conte in a tweet as a "really great guy" after meeting him at the Group of Seven summit in Canada. He told Fox News earlier that Conte is "great," and "very strong on immigration – like I am, by the way."

Screenshot of Trump's tweet about meeting with Italian PM Giuseppe Conte.

Trump left the summit early and declined to join the leaders' communique because of differences over trade. He also accused US trading partners of taking advantage of the US.

Washington has imposed tariffs on imports of aluminum and steel from the EU, and Trump has threatened to slap a 20 percent tariff on all imports of EU-assembled cars. The EU has retaliated with its own tariffs.

Conte, who took office on June 1, has backed Trump's call for Russia to rejoin the Group of Seven, with the Italian leader saying it would be "in the interests of everyone."

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Source(s): AFP ,Reuters