EU's $892bn promise to JD Vance as Trump's vice president highlights 'disagreements'

JD Vance, the combative American Vice-President, met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Rome, Italy today, where he admitted amid friendly banter that the US has "some disagreements" with the EU.

The 40-year-old best-selling author engaged in trilateral talks hosted by Italy's PM, emphasizing the strength of transatlantic alliances and acknowledging the occasional trade disputes.

While the talk started off light, things became tense, reports Daily Express UK. 

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Vance said:"I've said repeatedly that I think Europe is an important ally of the United States, the individual countries within Europe are important allies of the United States, but of course we have some disagreements as friends sometimes do on issues like trade."

He added: "Of course we also have agreements and many things we can work on together and I'm looking forward to this conversation... I hope this will be the beginning of some long-term trade negotiation and some long-term trade advantages for both Europe and the United States."

An undaunted Ms. von der Leyen responded to Vance's comments: "It's good to see you again, we've met in Paris and now here in Rome... we have the largest trade relationship in the world, with more than 1.5 trillion dollars per year, very much intertwined, so it is important now we have exchanged papers."

Ms. von der Leyen noted that the "devil would be in the detail" once experts had thoroughly examined the trade negotiations.

Switching gears from the trade discussions, the EU leader said: "I would like to also raise the topic of Ukraine, what unites us is that we want a just and lasting peace, and I know how much you are engaged in ending this war and I thank you for that. I think the next week will be crucial.

She added: "Finally... I know the European member states have to step up the investment in defense, this is why we have enabled the use of up to €800 billion in the next four years for defense investment."

This massive amount equates to roughly $893.6bn.

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Both JD Vance and his superior, President Trump, have advocated for increased defense investment from European allies in NATO, with Mr. Vance previously asserting that partners in Europe needed to bear a larger portion of the "burden" of supporting the military alliance.

Ms. von der Leyen's timely mention of Ukraine comes as President Trump announced this weekend that he would be contacting both Russia's President Putin and Ukraine's President Zelensky to halt the "bloodbath" of the three-year conflict on Monday.

Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in a historic dialogue with President Zelensky of Ukraine in Rome today.

Both American leaders were already in Rome to attend the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pontiff at the Vatican.

In a statement on his experience with the U.S. representatives, President Zelensky said: "Good meeting with JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome."

He added: "During our talks we discussed negotiations in Istanbul to where the Russians sent a low level delegation of non-decision-makers. I reaffirmed that Ukraine is ready to be engaged in real diplomacy and underscored the importance of a full and unconditional ceasefire as soon as possible.

"We have also touched upon the need for sanctions against Russia, bilateral trade, defence cooperation, battlefield situation and upcoming prisoners exchange. Pressure is needed against Russia until they are eager to stop the war. And, of course, we talked about our joint steps to achieve a just and durable peace.

"Thank you to all American people for the support and leadership in saving lives."