It is Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who is hosting the meeting between von der Leyen and US Vice President Vance, who are both in place for Pope Leo XIV's installation in Rome.
According to Meloni's office, the meeting would focus on the EU-US relations and the "most important issues on the international schedule".
In televised comments at the beginning of the meeting, Vance emphasized that he repeatedly stated that he considers both Europe and individual countries within Europe to be an important ally with the US.
But of course, we have some disagreements, as friends sometimes have, on issues such as trade. We also have many agreements and many things that we can work together on, so I look forward to this conversation, said Vance.
He added:
I think we will have a good conversation and hopefully it will be the beginning of long-term negotiations regarding trade between Europe and the US.
Von der Leyen, on her part, highlighted the "very special and close relationship" between the US and the European Union.
Everyone knows that the devil is in the details, but what unites us is that we ultimately want, together, to have a good agreement for both sides, said the EU chief.
US President Donald Trump said earlier in May that he hoped to meet the "fantastic" EU chief and that the EU "really wants to make an agreement" on reducing tariffs.
