Premier Giorgia Meloni called it “childish” and “superficial” to suggest Italy must choose between the European Union and the United States under President Donald Trump. She made the statement in an interview with the Financial Times on Friday.
“Italy can have good relations with the United States. If Italy can also help avoid confrontation with Europe and build bridges, I will do that, it’s in the interest of the Europeans,” Meloni told the FT. She described the US as Italy’s “first ally.”
“I’m conservative. Trump is a Republican leader. Surely, I’m nearer to him than to many others, but I understand a leader who defends his national interests,” Meloni said.
“I defend mine.”
The premier also urged calm as the EU prepares its response to Trump administration tariffs.
“Sometimes I have the impression that we simply respond instinctively,” Meloni told the FT.
“In these topics, you have to say, ‘Keep calm, guys. Let’s think.’
“There are big differences (in tariffs) on the single goods.
“That’s what we have to work on to find a good, common solution.”
Meloni agrees with Vance on Europe
Meloni also said she understood US Vice President JD Vance’s criticism of Europe during his speech at the Munich Security Conference in February.
“I have to say I agree,” she said when asked about Vance’s claim that Europe has backslid on its commitment to freedom of speech and democracy.
“I’ve been saying this for years… Europe has a bit lost itself.”
Vance also said internal threats, not Russia or China, posed the greatest danger to European democracy. He claimed mass immigration was its biggest problem.
Meloni told the Financial Times that Trump’s criticism of the EU was not aimed at its people but at its “ruling class… and the idea that instead of reading reality and finding ways to give answers to people, you can impose your ideology on people.”
