President Trump: Thank you very much.
Prime Minister Gentiloni, welcome.
Great honor.
Thank you.
It's wonderful to have you in our wonderful People's House,
known as the White House.
And so many great Italian friends are with us today.
And we renew, always, the deep ties of history
and friendship that link together the American
and the Italian peoples.
That history traces its roots to the timeless
contributions of Italy to civilization and human progress
-- so true -- stretching all the way
back to Ancient Rome.
Through the ages, your country has been a beacon
of artistic and scientific achievement -- and that
continues today -- from Venice to Florence,
from Verdi to Pavarotti, a friend of mine.
Great friend of mine.
These bonds of history and culture have only grown
stronger as our two nations have become close
partners, dear friends, and very vital allies.
Mr. Prime Minister, I'm thrilled that you are here
today to discuss how we can make this great
relationship even more productive in the years to come.
On the economy, Italy is one of America's largest
trading partners.
A lot of people don't know that.
We both seek a trading relationship that is
balanced, reciprocal -- I love the word
"reciprocal," because we don't have too many
reciprocal trading partnerships, I will tell
you that, but we will very soon -- and fair,
benefitting both of our countries.
And we can work together to achieve that outcome,
and that will happen.
Italy is also a key partner in the fight
against terrorism.
Italy is now the second-largest contributor
of troops to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I would also like to thank you, Prime Minister,
for your leadership on seeking stabilization in Libya,
and for your crucial efforts to deny ISIS
a foothold in the Mediterranean.
You fought hard.
We're grateful for your role in the anti-ISIS campaign.
All nations must condemn this barbaric enemy and
support the effort to achieve its total
and complete destruction.
Also, as you know, Mr. Prime Minister,
we have more than 30,000 American servicemembers,
families, and personnel who are stationed
across your country.
As we reaffirm our support for historic institutions,
we must also reaffirm the requirement that everyone
must pay their full and fair share for the cost
of defense.
Together, we can address many pressing challenges,
including two that greatly affect both of our countries,
those of large-scale migration
and international smuggling.
Maintaining strong borders is a vital component
of any security policy, and a responsible approach
to refugees is one that seeks the eventual return
of refugees to their home countries so that they
can help to rebuild their own nations.
Finally, I want to say how much I look forward
to visiting Sicily for the G7, as we seek to foster
cooperation not only on matters of security,
but also science, commerce, health, and technology.
Our two countries have shared interests
and shared values, and we can each make great
contributions to the other.
Mr. Prime Minister, I again want to thank you
for being with us and being our true friend.
Italy is a spectacular place; I know it well.
I love the people of Italy.
We have 18 million Italians living
in the United States, people originally from Italy.
And it's a great honor to have many of them as my friends.
Thank you for being here.
Prime Minister Gentiloni: Thank you for hosting us here.
It's an honor to be here at the White House today.
And I'll now switch to Italian.
We had a very fruitful meeting which reflects an
ancient friendship, as the President reminded us
with his words.
This friendship is also a sign of the 18 million
Italian Americans who have such an important role
in our country -- in this country.
And this friendship is witnessed also by the fact
that Italy is the second choice for American
students who study abroad, and we're very proud of this.
And this confirms the importance that the United States
gives to the cultural dimension
of our country, as the President, himself, just said.
This friendship is based on a common commitment
against terrorism.
This commitment is a commitment in which we are
both very active -- our country is very active
in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and I think that
the stabilization work will be decisive, the civilization
work of Iraq, after the military defeat that
we expect for Daesh.
We know that this action against terrorism must
take place within our individual countries.
In Europe, with the social and cultural commitment
against radicalization, by cooperating with Islamic
communities, Italy contributes to peace
and to stability in the Mediterranean.
In Syria, where I believe the U.S. choice
to react to the use of chemical weapons by
Bashar al-Assad, and where a negotiated solution
is more necessary than ever.
In Libya -- and we discussed this in our
meeting -- where we need to work against the
division of the country in order to stabilize it.
This is a very decisive task if we want to manage
the migratory flows without giving up
on our values and our humanitarian principles.
And we need to contrast the horrible traffic
of people and clandestine refugees.
Italy is convinced of its strategic commitment in favor
of the transatlantic relationship.
We have also spoken about common commitments in NATO
and the goals that were identified in 2014,
and the commitments on military expenses
and the contribution that each country must make towards
collective security.
We are proud of our contribution.
And finally, Italy is a country of dialogue.
We are proud because we succeeded in keeping
open the doors in difficult crises.
Dialogue can be useful even vis-à-vis Russia,
without obviously giving up our unity and
our principles, and without giving up our strength
and our values.
I also told President Trump that we have
confidence -- even though this is a difficult
moment, and we all know it's difficult right
now -- we have confidence in the future of the European
Union and certainly in the importance
of the relationship between the U.S. and Italy.
These are the two pillars that the transatlantic
relationship is based on and a great part of peace
and freedom in the world.
We are going through a difficult time,
but I have confidence that the European Union will continue
to be a positive response to this.
And, finally, we are expecting and I look
forward to the President's visit to the summit
in Taormina, and I trust that this will be
the opportunity to show him the unity of our leaders
and of the principal free economies of the planet.
Because right now, we really do need this unity.
Once again, thank you, Mr. President.
President Trump: Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Appreciate it.
I'll take a few questions.
John Roberts of Fox, please.
The Press: Mr. President, thanks so much.
I hope you'll forgive me for asking you
a three-part question -- it's been a while.
In just the last few minutes -- I believe it
was while you were meeting with the Prime Minister --
there was a shooting in downtown Paris.
President Trump: I see that.
The Press: It's being described as a potential
terrorist attack.
I wonder if you have something on that.
And further to that, to the big trouble spots that
you're dealing with right now, North Korea and Iran.
Do you believe that the leader of North Korea,
Kim Jong-un, is mentally unstable?
Is that one of the reasons why you're so concerned
about these latest developments?
Is he a man who can be reasoned with?
And on Iran, do you have reason to suspect that
they are cheating on the JCPOA?
And to Mr. Prime Minister, you talked just a moment
ago about your commitment to NATO.
President Trump would like to see all NATO members
contribute 2 percent of their GDP to NATO.
Your contribution is slightly less than 1 percent.
Will you commit to committing 2 percent
of your GDP to the Alliance going forward?
Thank you.
President Trump: Well, first of all, I love
the question you asked the Prime Minister.
I look forward to his answer --
(laughter)
-- because I'm going to be asking him that same question
very soon.
Well, first of all, our condolences from
our country to the people of France.
Again, it's happening, it seems.
I just saw it as I was walking in, so that's a
terrible thing and it's a very, very terrible thing
that's going on in the world today.
But it looks like another terrorist attack.
And what can you say -- it just never ends.
We have to be strong and we have to be vigilant.
And I've been saying it for a long time.
As far as North Korea is concerned, we are
in very good shape.
We're building our military rapidly.
A lot of things have happened over the last
short period of time.
I've been here for approximately 91 days;
we're doing a lot of work.
We're in very good position.
We're going to see what happens.
I can't ask your -- answer your question on stability.
I hope the answer is a positive one,
not a negative one.
But hopefully that will be something that gets
taken care of.
I have great respect for the President of China.
As you know, we had a great summit in Florida,
and Palm Beach, and got to know each other and I
think like each other.
I can say from my standpoint I liked him very much.
I respect him very much.
And I think he's working very hard.
I can say that all of the pundits out there are
saying they never have seen China work like
they're working right now.
Many coal ships have sent back.
Many other things have happened.
Some very unusual moves have been made over
the last two or three hours.
And I really have confidence that
the President will try very hard.
We don't know whether or not they're able to do
that, but I have absolute confidence that he will be
trying very, very hard.
And one of the reasons that we're talking about
trade deals and we're talking about all of
the different things -- but we're slowing up a little bit.
I actually told him, I said, you'll make a much
better deal on trade if you get rid of this menace
or do something about the menace of North Korea.
Because that's what it is, it's a menace right now.
So, we'll see what happens.
As far as Iran is concerned, I think they
are doing a tremendous disservice to an agreement
that was signed.
It was a terrible agreement.
It shouldn't have been signed.
It shouldn't have been negotiated the way
it was negotiated.
I'm all for agreements, but that was a bad one,
as bad as I've ever seen negotiated.
They are not living up to the spirit of the
agreement, I can tell you that.
And we're analyzing it very, very carefully
and we'll have something to say about it
in the not-too-distant future.
But Iran has not lived up to the spirit of the agreement.
And they have to do that.
They have to do that.
So, we will see what happens.
Thank you very much, John.
Prime Minister Gentiloni: Thank you, Mr. President.
First of all, allow me to join President Trump's
words for what happened in Paris.
These words of condolences and closeness
to the French people.
And this is a very delicate period for them,
just three days before the election.
As far as the question is concerned, the commitment
has been made.
It was made during a NATO summit.
And we are used to respecting our commitments.
We know that this will be a gradual process;
it has already begun.
And we know that Italy has certain limitations when
it comes to its budget, but despite these
limitations our commitment for common defense is very clear.
And, as I said earlier, I'm very proud not only
of the progress made in our financial commitment,
but also proud of the contribution that we give
to the security of the Alliance in so many areas
of the world.
We talked about Iraq and Afghanistan, but we could
also talk about the Baltic Sea or the Balkans.
And in all of these areas, you will see the presence
of Italian forces within the Alliance, and we
are proud of that.
The Press: Sky Italia.
First, for you, President Gentiloni, I wanted to ask
you -- we saw from this new administration a new
type of policy on the international scene,
very different from what we had in the past.
And one of the last important operations which
was carried out by President Trump was
in Syria with a bombing following the use of
chemical weapons by the Assad regime.
I wanted to ask you, does Italy think or conceive
a possibility to take action in -- more action in Syria?
Since my colleague from Fox News did, so I'm going
to take as well the possibility to ask you two questions.
First of all, about European Union.
You have said in the past that Brexit was a great
thing, and that you think that other country will follow.
So, you know that Italy is an important player
and supporter of European integration.
Do you believe that actually a strong Europe
is important for the United States, also
looking forward at a French election?
And on the second question, is that you said
that you're looking forward to come to Italy
for the G7, and I wanted to know if you're also
looking forward, if it's going to be possible, to
meet Pope Francis during your Italian trip.
Thank you.
Prime Minister Gentiloni: Syria, we immediately
assessed the operation that was ordered by
President Trump and decided that this was
a motivated response to the use of chemical weapons.
We added that it's up to everyone to consider
negotiation as the road through which we hopefully
can put an end to this infinite dramatic war
and come to peace.
Italy is not directly involved in the operations
and military operations in Syria other than marginal
aspects, but it's not our plan to change this attitude.
President Trump: Yes, a strong Europe is very,
very important to me as President of the United States.
And it's also, in my opinion, in my very strong
opinion, important for the United States.
We want to see it.
We will help it be strong, and it's very much to
everybody's advantage.
And I look very much forward to meeting the Pope.
Fabian of The Hill.
Fabian.
Yes.
The Press: Thank you, Mr. President.
Some people on Capitol Hill believe you
can get one of two things next week: a vote on healthcare
or a vote on a government funding bill.
So, my question is, which one is more important
to you have: a vote on healthcare or a vote
on a bill to keep the government open?
And, Mr. Prime Minister, I want to get your thoughts
on a referendum in Turkey that occurred last week.
You spoke about democratic values in the European
continent, so are you concerned with the result
of the Turkish referendum?
Is that something that you discussed with President Trump?
President Trump: Okay, I want to get both.
Are you shocked to hear that?
And we're doing very well on healthcare.
We'll see what happens.
But this is a great bill.
There's a great plan.
And this will be great healthcare.
It's evolving.
You know, there was never a give-up.
The press sort of reported there was like a give-up.
There's no give-up.
We started.
Remember, it took Obamacare 17 months.
I've really been negotiating this for two
months, maybe even less than that, because we had
a 30-day period where we did lots of other things
the first 30 days.
But this has really been two months.
And this is a continuation.
And the plan gets better and better and better.
And it's gotten really, really good.
And a lot of people are liking it a lot.
We have a good chance of getting it soon.
I'd like to say next week, but it will be --
I believe we will get it.
And whether it's next week or shortly thereafter.
As far as keeping the government open,
I think we want to keep the government open.
Don't you agree?
So, yeah, I think we'll get both.
Thank you.
Prime Minister Gentiloni: The Turkish referendum is
a fact that we must take note of, leaving aside any
debates that can take place about how
the vote took place.
But I believe that the European leadership have taken note
of the vote.
The consequences will depend a great deal
on how the Turkish government and President Erdogan,
especially, will take into account almost half
of the population's expression of a different opinion.
Will there be an inclusive approach, or will there
be a confrontation in this part of Turkey?
This will be very important for us
and the European Union.
The other thing that's going to be very important
is the respect of the certain fundamental principles.
We are members of the Atlantic alliance --
Italy and Turkey -- and Italy contributes to Turkey's defense
with its own military assets.
We believe that, among our countries, there should
be a cooperation, and hopefully -- and we trust
-- that this cooperation will have, among
its consequences, the solution of the case concerning
the journalist who's been detained over the last
few days in Turkey.
The Press: President Gentiloni, you have
focused a lot on the leadership -- Italian
leadership and American leadership -- in order
to stabilize Libya.
What do you expect exactly from Washington?
And especially, I am asking you, what is
necessary in this process, in this relationship
of cooperation with Russia?
President Trump, do you see a role for your
administration in helping stabilizing Libya?
And do you agree that stabilizing Libya
means combating terrorism and ISIS?
President Gentiloni: America has played
a very key role -- first of all, to prevent
the consolidation of an important basis for
terrorism while Daesh was undergoing defeat
in Iraq and Syria.
There were operations that were sustained
by the U.S. against Daesh in the city of Sirte
which were successful.
Now the commitment must be political.
And, therefore, in the cooperation of U.S. and Italy
and other key partners in the region,
the goal is to broaden the basis -- the consensus
for the Tripoli government, which is recognized by
the international community, but which must be able
to count on a broader consensus.
I believe that one clear goal should be this,
we need the region, and we need countries like Egypt
and Tunisia that are close to Libya.
We need a stable and unified Libya.
A divided country and in conflict
would make stability worse.
The U.S. role in this is very critical.
President Trump: I do not see a role in Libya.
I think the United States has right now enough roles.
We're in a role everywhere.
So, I do not see that.
I do see a role in getting rid of ISIS.
We're being very effective in that regard.
We are doing a job, with respect to ISIS,
that has not been done anywhere near the numbers
that we're producing right now.
It's a very effective force we have.
We have no choice.
It's a horrible thing to say, but we have no choice.
And we are effectively ridding the world of ISIS.
I see that as a primary role, and that's what
we're going to do, whether it's in Iraq or in Libya
or anywhere else.
And that role will come to an end at a certain point,
and we'll be able to go back home and rebuild
our country, which is what I want to do.
Thank you all very much.
I appreciate it.
Thank you.