Politician · person

Giorgia Meloni on Relationship with Joe Biden

Pragmatic Transatlanticist (moderate) Position evolved

Giorgia Meloni's relationship with U.S. President Joe Biden has been characterized by pragmatic engagement focused on shared strategic interests, despite their significant ideological differences. Following her election, Meloni has worked to solidify the transatlantic alliance, especially concerning support for Ukraine and shared security concerns.

Their direct interactions have included a key bilateral meeting at the G20 in 2023 and a subsequent high-level meeting in Washington, D.C., in 2024, indicating a functional working relationship based on geopolitical alignment rather than shared domestic philosophy. Meloni has also actively leveraged her ties to maintain the U.S. relationship as Italy prepared to host the G7 summit in 2024 and the subsequent one with the returning Donald Trump in 2025.

Meloni's efforts to manage the relationship with President Biden are often seen through the lens of her broader foreign policy goal of Atlanticism, which contrasts with some of her party's previous pro-Russian leanings. This approach involves balancing her conservative, sovereignist ideology with the necessity of maintaining strong ties with the current U.S. administration and ensuring continuity in transatlantic security commitments.

Context

As Prime Minister of Italy and leader of a major NATO country, Giorgia Meloni's relationship with the U.S. President, Joe Biden, is central to Italy's foreign policy and its commitment to the transatlantic alliance.

Her pre-office history included expressing admiration for Donald Trump and aligning with conservative U.S. figures, which initially raised questions about how she would manage relations with the Democratic administration. However, post-election pragmatism dictated a focus on areas of mutual interest, particularly the unwavering support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Timeline

September 1, 2022 Following her election victory, Meloni signaled a pivot towards Atlanticism, pledging to keep sending arms to Ukraine, which helped assuage initial Western concerns about her past ties and align her direction with the Biden administration's priorities.
July 1, 2023 Meloni made an official trip to the U.S. where she met with Congressional leaders and President Joe Biden at the White House, discussing key geopolitical issues.
November 15, 2023 Meloni held her first bilateral meeting with President Biden during the G20 summit in Bali, focusing on shared strategic concerns.
April 1, 2025 Meloni met with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., as part of her diplomatic efforts to maintain strong ties with the U.S. regardless of which party holds the presidency.

Actions Taken

November 15, 2023 Diplomatic Meeting
Meloni had her first bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
July 27, 2023 Diplomatic Visit
Meloni visited the U.S. Capitol where she met with Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate leaders, followed by a meeting with President Biden at the White House to discuss Ukraine, China, and Africa, as well as trade and security.
January 1, 2025 Diplomatic Initiative
After President Trump's second term began, Meloni was credited with orchestrating a rapprochement between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at the funeral of Pope Francis, indicating active engagement in high-level U.S. diplomacy.
April 17, 2025 Diplomatic Meeting
Meloni visited Washington, D.C., and met with President Donald Trump after discussing strategies with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a step noted as the first towards potential EU-US trade talks.