Italy’s leader, Giorgia Meloni, attempts to bridge widening EU-U.S. divide.
The Italian Prime Minister has positioned herself as Europe’s unlikely diplomatic lifeline.
Meloni met with Donald Trump at the White House last week.
Their warm rapport was evident throughout the encounter.
"Italy can be the best ally of the United States if Meloni remains premier," Trump declared during their meeting.
The American president also accepted an invitation to visit Rome “in the near future.”
Meloni seized her moment. She artfully suggested that Trump’s Rome visit could include meetings with EU representatives.
This diplomatic manoeuvre could prove valuable for Brussels.
Trump and Meloni Share Comfortable Yet Complex Alliance
Their ideological kinship creates unusual opportunities.
Trump and Meloni enjoy an unusually cordial relationship. The pair have lavished praise upon each other repeatedly.
Trump has called Meloni "fantastic" while she has adapted his famous slogan to call for efforts to "make the West great again."
Their affinity is about shared political views. Both leaders rail against mass migration and “woke ideology.” Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump’s January inauguration.
Yet tariffs cast a shadow over their relationship. Trump paused recently announced 20% tariffs on European imports. The measure would hit Italy particularly hard if implemented.
Meloni previously called these tariffs "absolutely wrong."
Still, she managed to put on a brave face during their meeting. Trump assured reporters: “There will be a trade deal, 100%, but it will be a fair deal.”
Defence Spending Emerges as Thorny Issue
NATO requirements create fiscal pressure on Rome.
Defence spending featured prominently in their discussions. Italy currently spends 1.49% of GDP on defence, well below NATO’s 2% target. Meloni promised to reach this threshold soon.
Trump wasn’t satisfied. When asked if 2% was enough, he replied bluntly: “It’s never enough.” This follows his earlier statements suggesting NATO members should spend 5% on defence.
These demands create serious difficulties for Rome.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has stated it’s “unthinkable” that European countries would slash social programmes to meet Trump’s 5% target.
"European countries can't touch welfare and social achievements," Crosetto added.
Financial reality could limit Meloni's room for manoeuvre.
Italy’s Delicate Balancing Act in Europe
Rome walks a tightrope between Brussels and Washington.
As the first European leader to visit D.C. since Trump’s tariff announcement, Meloni carried heavy expectations. Her mission: promote a “zero-for-zero” tariffs deal for the entire EU.
Italy faces acute vulnerability to US trade policies.
Around 10% of Italian exports go to America, worth about €67 billion. The situation has forced Rome to halve its growth forecast.
"We know this is a difficult time," Meloni admitted before her trip. "We will do our best – I am aware of what I represent and of what I am defending."
Some European officials worried Meloni might prioritise Italian interests over EU solidarity.
French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci warned against “bilateral talks” and claimed Trump’s strategy was to “divide Europeans.”
China Factor Complicates Transatlantic Relations
Western unity faces a test over Chinese economic ties.
The China question looms large over EU-U.S. relations. Trump wants Europe to decouple from Beijing economically.Â
Meloni has taken steps in this direction by pulling Italy out of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
However, not all European countries share this stance. Spain’s Pedro Sanchez eyes more Chinese investments.
Germany feels pressure to preserve its annual trade worth €209 billion with China.
This creates internal EU divisions over supply chains. Meloni likely discussed anti-China measures with Trump to curry favour.
Such tactics might work for now, but tactics cannot bridge fundamental economic differences.
After her White House talks, Meloni announced Italy "will have to increase energy imports" and that "Italian companies will invest €10 billion" in America.
These economic olive branches aim to soften Trump's stance.
Trump’s Aggressive Trade Posture Threatens Global Economy
Markets look nervous as tariff threats linger.
Trump has stuck to his guns on trade. He maintains that Europe “formed to screw the United States” and has threatened to impose a 10% baseline tariff on almost all foreign imports.
His rhetoric rings alarm bells across global markets. Trump insists he'll cut deals with every country "over the next three to four weeks" but also says he's "not in a hurry."
This uncertainty creates a challenging environment for European leaders. No one knows what Trump truly wants.
As the Bloomberg opinion piece notes, the answer might be “a smorgasbord of aggressive demands.”
These could include rolling back tech regulations, slashing value-added tax, buying more American goods, and decoupling from China. Meloni faces an uphill battle navigating these complex demands.
Ukraine Conflict Reveals Differing Approaches
War stance creates a rare point of disagreement.
Ukraine represents one of the few areas where Trump and Meloni hold different views.
Meloni has consistently backed Ukraine against Russian war effort.
Meloni stated clearly: "I think there was an invasion and that the invader was Putin and Russia."
Trump takes a more transactional approach. He has suspended aid to Ukraine and pressured Zelenskyy to accept potentially unfavourable peace terms.
Trump remarked: "I wouldn't say he's done the greatest job, okay? I'm not a big fan."
These divergent positions create a potential stumbling block in their relationship.
Meloni has faced pressure from other European leaders to maintain a united front on Ukraine. Her ability to thread this needle remains untested.
Future of Transatlantic Relations Hinges on Meloni’s Pay-Off
The Italian leader’s diplomatic gambit carries high stakes.
Meloni has bitten off more than she can chew with her mediation efforts.
The challenges facing her are immense. She must balance Italy’s economic interests, EU solidarity, and her personal rapport with Trump.
The Italian leader seemed keenly aware of these pressures.
During a pre-trip event with business leaders, she joked nervously: "As you can imagine, I'm feeling no pressure at all."
Her gamble has yielded one concrete result: Trump’s planned visit to Rome. This creates a potential forum for broader EU-U.S. engagement.Â
Opposition leader Carlo Calenda acknowledged Meloni has "gained credibility as a bridge between the U.S. and the EU."
Meloni will try cutting her coat according to her cloth. She must work within Italy’s limited economic and political influence to influence outcomes far beyond her country’s weight class.
Whether she succeeds depends largely on Trump’s willingness to compromise.
So far, Trump has talked up the prospect of deals while offering few concessions.Â
Keep up with Daily Euro Times for more updates!
Read also:
Meloni: The Mediator Beyond Borders
A Pack of Cards: Meloni Deals a Strong Hand at CPAC
A Melodrama for Meloni: Migrant Scheme Blocked Again
