Washington, April 17 -- US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in reaching a trade deal with the European Union (EU) before the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs ends.

Trump made the remarks during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to Washington on Thursday. At a bilateral lunch with Meloni, Trump told reporters, "There'll be a trade deal. 100 per cent. Why you think there won't be? Of course, there'll be a trade deal," CNN reported.

"They want to make one very, very much. We're gonna make a trade deal. I fully expect it, but it will be a fair deal," he added.

Trump has paused the imposition of 20 per cent reciprocal tariffs on more 75 countries, including the EU and India, claiming those countries have agreed ...