Portrait of Giorgia Meloni
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Giorgia Meloni on Relationship with Donald Trump

Transatlantic bridge builder (strong)

Giorgia Meloni considers her relationship with Donald Trump a significant aspect of her foreign policy, particularly concerning the transatlantic alliance.

Following his return to the political forefront, Meloni actively engaged with him, visiting Washington D.C. and meeting with Trump after he imposed significant tariffs on nearly all foreign imports. This visit was framed as a necessary first step towards opening trade talks between the European Union (EU) and the United States.

Meloni received a warm welcome from Trump, who reportedly praised her conservative stances and accepted her invitation for a state visit to Italy. Her efforts suggest a desire to build upon prior interactions, positioning herself as a bridge between the European right and the American Republican establishment.

Context

As Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni has prioritized maintaining a strong Atlanticist foreign policy, which includes close ties with the US, contrasting with some of her earlier pro-Russia leanings before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Her engagement with Donald Trump is seen as vital for strengthening conservative connections across the Atlantic and navigating potential future US trade policies.

Meloni is aligned ideologically with many in the Republican Party in the United States, and her successful management of her relationship with Trump is crucial for Italy's diplomatic standing, especially given her role as a leader in the European Conservatives and Reformists Party.

Timeline

  1. Meloni undertook an official trip to the United States, meeting with US President Joe Biden.
  2. Meloni visited Washington D.C. and met with US President Donald Trump, after he had recently imposed significant tariffs.
  3. Following the meeting, Trump accepted Meloni's invitation for a state visit to Italy.

Actions Taken

  1. Diplomatic Visit
    Visited Washington D.C. and met with U.S. president Donald Trump after he imposed significant tariffs on almost all foreign imports.
  2. Bilateral Invitation
    Received an acceptance from Trump for a state visit to Italy, following a meeting where Trump praised her conservative stances.

Related Positions

  • NATO and Transatlanticism Meloni's positive relationship with Trump is part of her overarching commitment to the NATO alliance, which she supports despite Eurosceptic leanings towards the EU.
  • EU-US Trade Relations Her meeting with Trump was framed specifically as the first step towards necessary trade talks between the EU and the US.
Sources2

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.