Oval Office
12:28 P.M. EDT
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Okay, thank you very much. It’s my great honor to have Giuseppe Conte of Italy. He’s a man who’s doing a fantastic job. I really want to thank you very much for being here. We’ve become friendly over the G7 meetings and some phone calls.
And I agree very much what you’re doing with respect to migration and illegal immigration, and even legal immigration. Italy has taken a very firm stance on the border, a stance a few countries have taken. And, frankly, you’re doing the right thing, in my opinion. And a lot of other countries in Europe should be doing it also. Some have taken that stance a long time ago, and they’re doing a lot better.
So I just want to thank you, Giuseppe, for being with us. It’s an honor. We have a lot to talk about having to do with trade, having to do with our military. You’re ordering planes, lots of planes. The United States has a very large deficit, as usual, with Italy — about $31 billion. And I’m sure we’ll straighten that out pretty quickly.
But we find it a great honor to have you with us. Thank you. Thank you, Giuseppe.
PRIME MINISTER CONTE: Thank you. It’s a big honor for me, of course. And thank you for this kind invitation, for your warm hospitality.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: You’ll always be treated warmly. Okay? Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you.
END
12:30 P.M. EDT
