Meloni - and Italy - can't cut their own deals with the U.S.

Meloni most certainly can cut side deals with the US. The EU does not buy weapons as a bloc, for example. Or sell individual things. Or sets national policy for each country.

As I’ve repeatedly said, this is about more than just tariffs.

Perhaps, but if the Administration doesn't survive, then their tariff and trade policy doesn't survive.

Hmm. About that - which President collected more in tariffs: Joe Biden or Trump? Would a theoretical President AOC govern the same way? Doubtful.

And if that doesn't work, they'll just wait until we get into the X-mas season and all the stuff that's normally part of Black Friday (like toys and electronics and such) are now super expensive or not available.

Electronics and smart phones were already exempt. Plus, you might be surprised how fast some companies are shifting production assembly to say, Vietnam to avoid tariffs. That’s a switch that’s been happening for a long time…

I mean, they'll mitigate some of that by trying to redirect the exports to other countries (who might be happy to get some low-cost stuff for their own consumers)

Who would that be? Why do you believe that Europe is somehow going to absorb what the United States spent on Chinese goods? They can’t.

I’ll give you this. I laughed out loud when I read that diplomat’s comments because it either came from a Brit -or- from somebody who knows that his/her statements will be repeated in the US press as a means to bash Trump. Whoever said that knew exactly who was listening and who would repeat it.

Unfortunately, too many people are thinking short term and not long term.