Vice President JD Vance Holds Diplomatic Talks with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni Amid Milan Olympics Visit
In a significant diplomatic engagement, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday in Milan, Italy. This meeting occurred during Vance's weeklong trip to the country, which is currently hosting the Olympic Games, blending elements of sports and international diplomacy.
A Strategic Meeting During the Olympic Games
The vice president's itinerary for the day was packed with both ceremonial and substantive activities. He began his morning at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, where he watched the opening session of the three-day team figure skating competition. Accompanying him were his family and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Later in the evening, Vance attended the grand Olympics opening ceremony, a highlight of the global sporting event.
Sandwiched between these Olympic events was the crucial diplomatic meeting with Prime Minister Meloni. The face-to-face discussion took place at the Prefettura di Milano, a historic Milan palace now serving as a municipal building. Their private conversation lasted approximately one hour and was followed by a closed-door lunch, underscoring the importance of the bilateral dialogue.
Press Access and Light-Hearted Exchanges
Only a brief segment at the beginning of the meeting was open to the press, offering a glimpse into the leaders' rapport. Meloni initiated her remarks in Italian before humorously switching to English, joking that Vance likely did not comprehend her initial statements. In a witty retort, Vance quipped that he had managed to learn Italian since his last visit to the country—a playful exaggeration, as his previous trip was in May when he met Meloni in Rome after an audience with Pope Leo XIV.
"I was saying that I’m happy to have you here to have the occasion to talk about our wonderful bilateral relation," Meloni clarified in English, setting a cordial tone for their discussions.
Topics of Discussion and Bilateral Cooperation
According to a statement released by Vance's office, the two leaders delved into several key areas during their meeting. They emphasized the strength of bilateral relations between the United States and Italy, explored opportunities related to the Olympics, and discussed mutual efforts to enhance the business and investment climate. Meloni highlighted the Olympics as events that "tell about values that keep together Italy and the U.S." and reflect "western civilization."
In a notable aside during the press-accessible portion, U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta entered the room and greeted Vance, commenting on the logistical challenges posed by Olympic security measures, such as traffic closures. "It’s hard to get around," Fertitta remarked, alluding to the disruptions caused by the games.
Private Cultural Visit and Broader Context
Following their official talks, Vance and Meloni made a private visit to the Pinacoteca di Brera art museum, spending about half an hour there. This cultural excursion added a personal touch to their diplomatic interactions.
The meeting occurs against a backdrop of increasingly strained U.S.-Europe relations under President Donald Trump, who has disrupted the rules-based international order that has guided U.S. foreign policy for decades. Meloni has cultivated a close relationship with Trump, visiting him at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in early January 2025, even before his second term began. Trump has praised her as a "fantastic woman," and the two leaders have frequently lauded each other publicly.
However, recent tensions have emerged, with Meloni aligning with other top U.S. allies in Europe to oppose Trump's push to take control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. This divergence highlights the complexities in the U.S.-Italy alliance.
Focus on Olympic Spirit and Shared Values
During the press segment, Vance expressed enthusiasm for the Olympic Games, stating, "In the spirit of the Olympics friendship, competition — competition based on rules — and just coming together around shared values, we’re very, very thrilled to be here, and we’ll have a great conversation about number of topics." He added that he had been excited to attend the Milan Olympics "pretty much since I became vice president."
Notably, when reporters were present, the leaders exchanged only pleasantries, and Vance and Rubio did not respond to shouted questions regarding U.S.-Iran talks, maintaining a focus on the positive aspects of the U.S.-Italy relationship and the Olympic spirit.
