Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Milan on February 6, 2026, unfolded as a blend of athletic spectacle and high-stakes diplomacy, casting a spotlight on the evolving relationship between the United States and Italy against the backdrop of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The day began with Vance, accompanied by his family and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, attending the opening session of the three-day team figure skating competition at the bustling Milano Ice Skating Arena. The Olympic spirit—competition, camaraderie, and shared values—was palpable, but it was the subsequent meeting between Vance and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni that truly defined the day.
Just hours before the Olympic opening ceremony, Vance and Meloni convened at the historic Prefettura di Milano, a regal palace now serving as a municipal hub. The bilateral meeting, which lasted about an hour and included Secretary Rubio and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, was followed by a closed-door lunch. According to Reuters, Meloni welcomed the American delegation warmly, stating, “They are here for the opening ceremony of the Olympics, but it is also an opportunity for us to discuss our bilateral relations.” She went on to emphasize, “Italy and the United States have always maintained very significant ties.”
Vance responded in kind, reinforcing the mutual admiration and cooperation between the two nations. “We love Italy and the Italian people. As you said, we have many excellent relations, many economic connections and partnerships,” he remarked, adding, “In the Olympic spirit, competition is based on rules. It’s good to have shared values, and we will have a very constructive exchange on many topics.”
The agenda for the meeting was ambitious. According to statements from both governments and reporting by ABC News and Reuters, the leaders discussed the strength of U.S.-Italian bilateral relations, the Olympics, and ongoing efforts to boost business and investment climates. They also tackled pressing international issues, including energy security, the creation of safe and reliable supply chains for critical minerals, and the latest developments in Iran and Venezuela. The Italian prime minister’s office later confirmed these topics, highlighting the breadth and depth of the discussions.
This meeting came at a delicate moment in transatlantic relations. Under President Donald Trump’s administration, U.S. ties with European allies have been tested. Meloni, however, has made a point of cultivating a close relationship with Trump, even visiting him at Mar-a-Lago in early January 2025, months before his second term began. Trump, for his part, called Meloni a “fantastic woman”—and the two leaders have exchanged praise in public forums since then. Yet, as the Associated Press noted, Meloni has not been afraid to diverge from Trump on key issues, recently siding with European allies in opposing his push to take control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.
During the brief period when reporters were allowed into the meeting, the leaders exchanged pleasantries. Meloni began her remarks in Italian, only to switch to English with a smile, joking that Vance probably hadn’t understood her. Vance quipped back that he’d managed to learn Italian since his last visit—though, in truth, he hadn’t. His previous trip to Italy came in May, when he met Meloni in Rome after an audience with Pope Leo XIV.
“I was saying that I’m happy to have you here to have the occasion to talk about our wonderful bilateral relation,” Meloni explained. She also referenced the Olympics, calling them “events that tell about values that keep together Italy and the U.S.” and “western civilization.” Vance echoed the sentiment, telling Meloni, “In the spirit of the Olympics friendship, competition—competition based on rules—and just coming together around shared values, we’re very, very thrilled to be here, and we’ll have a great conversation about a number of topics.” He added that he’d been excited to attend the Olympics in Milan “pretty much since I became vice president.”
Not all was smooth sailing, however. The Games were shadowed by controversy over the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents supporting the American delegation. News of their involvement, first reported by Italian media and later confirmed by Reuters, sparked political criticism and public protests in Milan. Hundreds of demonstrators—including student groups and families—took to the streets in the week leading up to the Olympics, demanding clarity about ICE’s role and raising concerns about the agency’s record.
Meloni addressed the uproar head-on. In a Thursday night interview with broadcast group Mediaset, she called the controversy “surreal,” stressing, “It has never carried out, could never carry out, and will never carry out police operations—immigration enforcement or checks—on our territory.” She underscored that the ICE branch involved has long cooperated with Italian authorities and would not be conducting any enforcement actions during the Games. Despite her assurances, the presence of U.S. security personnel led to logistical headaches, including traffic closures and heightened security measures around Olympic venues. As U.S. ambassador Tilman Fertitta joked upon arriving at the meeting, “It’s hard to get around.”
After their official talks, Vance and Meloni made a private visit to the renowned Pinacoteca di Brera art museum, spending about half an hour among masterpieces—a moment of cultural diplomacy that underscored the shared appreciation for art and history between the two nations.
While Vance and Rubio declined to answer shouted questions from the press about U.S.-Iran talks, the substance of the day’s meetings spoke volumes. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together, even as they navigated the complexities of international politics and public opinion. Meloni’s government, for all its close ties with the Trump administration, has proven willing to advocate for Italian and European interests when necessary, balancing friendship with pragmatism.
The events in Milan offered a snapshot of the delicate dance that defines modern diplomacy: leaders celebrating shared values and common goals, even as they grapple with protests, policy disputes, and the unpredictable currents of global affairs. For Vance, the visit was more than a ceremonial stop at the Olympics—it was an opportunity to reinforce alliances and address challenges head-on, all under the watchful eye of the world.
As the Olympic flame lit up Milan and athletes from around the globe took to the ice, the U.S.-Italian partnership remained firmly in the spotlight—a relationship tested by politics and protest, but strengthened by open dialogue and mutual respect.