ISTANBUL

US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday expressed optimism about advancing trade talks with the EU during talks in Rome with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The trilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. 

Vance said Italy offered to be a "bridge builder" between the US and Europe, emphasizing that while differences remain on trade, both sides share key priorities and long-standing ties.

"Of course, we have some disagreements, as friends sometimes do, on issues like trade, and we also have many agreements and many things that we can work on together," Vance said.

“I think we'll have a great conversation, and hopefully it will be the beginning of some long-term trade negotiations,” Vance said, thanking both Meloni and von der Leyen for their willingness to engage.

Von der Leyen underlined the scale of the transatlantic trade relationship, which exceeds $1.5 trillion annually, and confirmed that both sides have exchanged draft documents for expert-level negotiations.

She also stressed common goals related to the Russia-Ukraine war and defense cooperation, noting that the European Commission had unlocked €800 billion ($893 billion) for defense investments over the next four years.

Von der Leyen said the two sides aim for a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine and will “take stock” of defense developments at the upcoming NATO summit.

This, of course, will strengthen the European Union, as a strong Europe means a strong NATO, she said.

Meloni said the Rome meeting marked a “new beginning” and reaffirmed Italy’s role as a facilitator of dialogue. “We know how important the relation between the EU and the US is for a strong West, for our civilization also for our economic relations,” she said.