*Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2018 *

**Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy **

*July 30, 2018 *

*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 G–7 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. Thank you. It's a big honor for me, of course. And thank you for this kind invitation——

*President Trump*. Thank you very much.

*Prime Minister Conte*. ——for your warm hospitality.

*President Trump.* You'll always be treated warmly. Okay?

*Prime Minister Conte*. Thank you.

*President Trump*. Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:28 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White House.

*Categories:* Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Italy, Prime Minister Conte*.*

*Locations: *Washington, DC.

*Names:* Conte, Giuseppe*.*

*Subjects:* Commerce, international : Group of Seven (G–7) nations; Europe : Refugees, humanitarian situation; Italy : Border security and immigration policy; Italy : Prime Minister; Italy : Relations with U.S.; Italy : Trade with U.S.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201800514.