The Italian Prime Minister visits Trump at Mar-a-Lago

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni went to Mar-a-Lago to visit President-elect Donald J. Trump for an informal meeting on Saturday, three people familiar with the trip said.

The trip comes just days before Ms. Meloni is set to welcome President Biden to Rome for an official visit to Italy and the Vatican from January 9-12.

Ms. Meloni and Mr. Trump have expressed mutual appreciation in the past, and her trip was one of the first few visits by a foreign leader to the president-elect’s home in Florida since his election. The meeting reinforces the hopes of Ms. Meloni’s supporters that the conservative Italian prime minister will become Mr. Trump’s favored ally in Europe.

Much of that role will involve mediating tensions between other European leaders and Mr. Trump, who has threatened to start a trade war with the continent as well as reducing American support for some NATO countries and for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The meeting’s agenda was not clear on Saturday evening, but observers expected the two leaders to discuss these issues.

Another possible issue, according to observers, is the detention of A Prominent Italian correspondent Cecilia Sala. This happened a few days after Italy’s arrest, at the request of the United States, An Iranian suspected of supplying drone components to the IRGC. Iran routinely arrests foreigners And dual citizens to exchange them for money and people.

One person familiar with the meeting said Ms. Meloni pushed hard for it to take place.

It also has a good relationship with Elon Musk, which supporters hope will boost its international standing once Mr. Trump becomes president.

Since his election, Mr. Trump has welcomed Mar-a-Lago Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor OrbanHe is a champion of “illiberal democracy”, as well as Argentina’s far-right president, Javier Miley. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau becomes the first leader of the G7 To visit Mr. Trump In Florida since the election, after threatening to impose tariffs on Canada.

Maggie Haberman Contributed to reports.