Giorgia Meloni revels in her repute for being an eye-rolling, combative and decided chief. Now she’s obtained a brand new position – Italy’s prime minister is now a political peacekeeper.
Relations between Europe and America are awful. President Donald Trump did not simply impose tariffs on the European Union, however he referred to it as “pathetic” and claimed, with out info, that it had solely been created to thwart America.
On defence, Europeans imagine his dedication to NATO is now lukewarm, and plenty of seethe on the method he has gone behind their backs to open talks with Russia about the way forward for Ukraine.
Throughout the continent, there may be an uneasy feeling that Washington is now nearer to Moscow than Brussels.
And into all of this walks Meloni – the one world chief to attend Trump’s inauguration earlier this 12 months and a dedicated believer in robust ties throughout the Atlantic.
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On the floor, the 2 leaders are kindred spirits – right-wing populists who thrive on anti-migration sentiment and hark again to the allegedly forgotten greatness of their nations.
Meloni, although, is extra versatile – the place Trump pushes on regardless, Meloni reads a room and reacts.
She travels with the blessing of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Fee, who’s in the end accountable for framing any future commerce deal on behalf of Brussels. Meloni could attempt to ease the tensions brought on by tariffs, however she will not be capable to agree a brand new deal.
And whereas Washington would like to strike particular person offers with EU nations, to weaken EU unity, Meloni is unlikely to play that sport.
However count on Trump to push her onerous. Italy has an enormous commerce surplus with america because of America’s need for Italian meals and its love of the nation’s luxurious items, and Italy’s reluctance to purchase something like the identical quantity of American items.
Meloni will discover herself below strain to spend cash on shopping for extra American gasoline in return for all that Prada, Gucci and Parma ham going the opposite method.
However – and there may be at all times a however – different European nations might be watching her techniques, nervous that Meloni would possibly find yourself doing offers that work for her, however not for the union. Trump’s tariffs have elevated tensions.
“We know we are in a difficult moment,” Meloni mentioned this week. “Most certainly, I am well aware of what I represent and what I am defending.”
The 2 leaders will discuss defence and about Trump’s long-standing demand that European nations ought to spend extra. On that one, at the least, Meloni could discover herself on the again foot – Italy spends about 1.5% of GDP on its army – method, method under the extent that America believes is suitable.
On Ukraine, Meloni – not like some others in her wobbly coalition – has lengthy supported Kyiv towards Moscow, however her earlier assertions that Ukraine may win have now been eased.
She is extra equivocal than Emmanuel Macron, as an example, about whether or not Europe can obtain something significant with out American army assist, and few Italians suppose their troops must be concerned in any future peacekeeping mission.
