Giorgia Meloni on Trade Tariffs (especially US tariffs)
Giorgia Meloni's focus regarding trade tariffs, particularly concerning the United States, appears to be on fostering strong bilateral economic exchange while prioritizing Italian national interests within a broader transatlantic framework. Her government has engaged in high-level discussions, such as with former U.S. President Donald Trump, signaling a pragmatic approach to trade relations that seeks beneficial outcomes for Italy.
While her historical political leanings suggest a potential for protectionist sentiment common in nationalist platforms, concrete, comprehensive statements specifically detailing her stance on imposing or lifting broad tariffs have not been prominently documented. Her recent diplomatic actions prioritize strengthening established alliances, which often suggests a preference for negotiated trade frameworks over unilateral tariff imposition, despite engaging with figures known for protectionist policies.
Context
As Prime Minister of Italy since 2022, Giorgia Meloni commands the executive branch, giving her direct authority over Italy's trade policy and its representation in international economic forums like the EU. Her position is therefore critical in determining Italy's stance on bilateral trade disputes, including any potential U.S. tariffs on European goods or vice-versa.
Meloni generally advocates for putting national interests first and has historically expressed skepticism toward globalism and EU bureaucracy, which could suggest an openness to trade measures designed to protect domestic industries, even if these measures involve tariffs.
Actions Taken
- Diplomacy/Trade TalksVisited Washington, D.C., and met with U.S. President Donald Trump (who had imposed significant tariffs on almost all foreign imports), constituting a first step towards trade talks between the EU and the US.
Comparison
- Comparison with Trump Administration: Meloni's meeting with Donald Trump following his reimposition of tariffs suggests she is engaging directly to manage the trade relationship rather than solely opposing the tariff regime outright.
- Comparison with EU Stance: Her actions suggest a pragmatic willingness to engage bilaterally with the U.S. on trade, which can sometimes be distinct from the consolidated European Union trade position.
Sources2
- On April 17, after discussing with Ursula von der Leyen strategies on how to approach the meeting, she visited Washington, D.C. and met with U.S. president Donald Trump (who had recently imposed significant tariffs on almost all foreign imports); this visit constituted the first step towards trade talks between the EU and the US.
- Later she met with U.S. president Joe Biden at the White House, where they discussed about many issues, including Ukraine, China, and Africa. They also talked about the strengthening of economic exchange between the two countries, trade relations between Europe and U.S., security policies and the forthcoming G7 Italian presidency.
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.