Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni continues her balance between the Atlantic Ocean, as she suggested in a new interview that she does not have to choose between Donald Trump or her European allies.
The president has declared the Economic War to the traditional allies of America and imposed a rate of 25 percent on all imports of cars – a blow to European manufacturers such as BMW, Audi and Ferrari, who said it will increase US prices 10 percent.
Europe is preparing to take revenge in a 'robust' way, putting the stage for a tit-for-tat trade splash and placing Meloni in a difficult place like Trump's bridge to the EU more difficult to attend Ukraine, which he says it cannot be allowed to join NATO.
But the Italian Prime Minister – the only European leader who attends Trump's second inauguration in January – has suggested that it would be 'childish' to have to choose between supporting Europe or the 45th president in a new interview.
She told the Financial Times that she did not see Trump as an opponent, who refers to him as the 'first ally' of Italy – and that she agreed with the attacks of the US government on EU leaders, who accused of suppressing the freedom of expression.
And Mrs. Meloni further said that she understood the protectionist attitude of the student who saw him in China, Canada and Mexico, as well as steel imports, including those from the UK, within his first 100 days.
She said to the FT: 'I am conservative. Trump is a republican leader. I am closer to him than for many others, but I understand a leader who defends his national interests. I defend mine. '
Mrs. Meloni's serious straight -leaning premiership has been seen as a leading hand for Italy, who has been rocky since the fall of fascism at the end of the Second World War.
Giorgia Meloni has suggested that Italy does not have to choose between herself to the US or Europe (depicted with [left to right] Mike Walz, Donald Trump and Marco Rubio)
The Italian Prime Minister (depicted with the Italian politician Carlo Calenda) says it is 'childish' to suggest
The famous tactile leader (here considering here Meeting Keir Starmer earlier this month) has fooled her outright support for Ukraine –
As leader of the extreme right-wing brothers of the Italy, founded by the surviving comrades of Mussolini, she plented against migration and European collectivism from opposition before she was chosen in 2022.
A ruthless negotiator, she is known for wearing her stationery in a pink pencil cabinet, so those who meet her think that she “is like a little girl at school,” a source told The Telegraph.
“And then she kills them,” the source said, reportedly a finger gesture over his throat.
But the Italian Prime Minister has soften her message since he came to power – collaborating with the European Commission and in solidarity with Ukraine after the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Italy also joined the 'Coalition of the Willing' that was built by Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to supervise the formation of a European peace force sent to Ukraine – albeit with some restraint.
Mrs Meloni waited until the evening for a virtual top earlier this month to confirm that she would in fact be, the Telegraph reported. She still believes that it can be misinterpreted as a 'threat' by Russia.
But the position of Italy as 'first ally' of the US is dangerously managed; She avoided placing a message of solidarity with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zenskyy after the fateful white house meeting with Trump and vice-president JD Vance.
And recently, the famous tactile leader has built up a very well -known relationship with billionaire Elon Musk, now an important figure in the US government.
Meloni has built a well -known relationship with the American government sinsider Elon Musk – so pleasant that he took X to deny rumors about 'romantic' involvement
Mrs. Meloni is Trump's most important European ally – but his trade war against allies, and his position on Ukraine, could make it an uncomfortable friendship
Mrs. Meloni was the only European leader in the inauguration of Trump in January (depicted there with Argentinian President Javier Milei)
Mrs. Meloni has settled as a strong and unwavering hand for Italy after a period of political instability and controversy
She has also soften her position on the EU since she came to power – entering into working relationships with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (photo)
Mrs. Meloni said she agreed with JD Vance's recent comments about Europe, in which he suggested that it had taken citizens of freedom of expression and had allowed mass migration
The band was in fact so close that Musk took his ailing social platform X to deny any 'romantic relationship' after they were depicted, locked eyes when she received a prize from a think tank last year.
Meloni had asked that Musk awarded her the Global Citizen Award of the Atlantic Council – what he did.
“Italy can have good relationships with (the) United States and if there is something that Italy can also do to avoid (an American) confrontation with Europe and build bridges, I will do that – and it is in the interest of Europeans,” she said in the FT interview.
Last month, Vice-President Vance led furiously under EU-Top Messing after rescuing them as 'commissars' who accused them of suppressing free expression and making mass migration possible.
In a brutal speech at the safety conference of Munich where he was expected to tackle the means with which he would end the war in Ukraine, Vance chose the member states for criticism, including the United Kingdom about a ban on protests outside of abortion clinics.
“In Britain, and throughout Europe, I fear myself,” he said and added, “If you run out of fear of your own voters, there is nothing that America can do for you.”
Since then he has moaned in leaked texts from a signal group, obtained by the Atlantic Ocean: “I just hate to save Europe.” Defense secretary Pete Hesget then added: 'I fully share your disgust of European free drawers. It is pathetic. '
Mrs. Meloni believed that Vance spoke for Trump in his speech in Europe – and moreover agreed with his position.
“Europe has lost itself a bit,” she said, adding that she believed that the speech was aimed at the prevailing class … and the idea that instead of reading reality and finding manners to give answers to people, you can impose your ideology (them). '
However, she has insisted elsewhere that she is not following Europe or the US blindly.
Her weakness in foreign policy could still be capitalized by challenger Matteo Salvini – her own deputy prime minister – who takes a solid position against Ukraine in a time of decreasing support for the country among the voters.
Salvini, leader of the rival Lega (League) party, also actively undermines the authority of his boss and held his own phone call with JD Vance last week.
For the time being, Mrs. Meloni Italy continues to walk over his shaky cord – as a member state of a block, she largely disguises and opposes the collective European position over just about any problem, but with a seat at the table and the ear of the US president.
