Donald Trump greets Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni at White House | Photos

Donald Trump called Giorgia Meloni, who is on a visit to the United States, a “very special person” and “a friend” who "has taken Europe by storm".

"I do like her very much," he told reporters in the White House as Meloni sat across the table from him. “I think she's a great prime minister, and I think she's done a fantastic job in Italy. We are very proud of her.”

He also called the Italian prime minister “one of the real leaders of the world”.

"I knew her right from the beginning. I knew her from her early days as prime minister. I knew she had great talent. She's one of the real leaders of the world. We have a good relationship, together and as countries," Trump added.