Giorgia Meloni’s Diplomatic Challenge: Balancing Italy’s Role Between Trump and the European Union
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is carefully navigating a complex political landscape as Europe takes decisive steps to bolster its defense capabilities. Known for her nationalist stance and admiration for former U.S. President Donald Trump, Meloni is facing a significant challenge in balancing Italy’s strategic alliances between Washington and Brussels. As tensions rise over Trump’s foreign policies, Meloni finds herself caught between her ideological alignment with the U.S. and the necessity of maintaining strong ties with the European Union.
Her unwavering support for Trump was evident when she became the only EU leader to attend his inauguration in January, a move that reinforced her commitment to transatlantic relations. However, as Trump’s administration imposes tariffs on Europe and signals a possible withdrawal of support for Ukraine, Meloni has refrained from any public criticism of the former U.S. president. This approach has drawn criticism domestically, with opponents accusing her of isolating Italy within the European framework at a time when European nations are striving for unity in the face of global uncertainties.
Despite her pro-American stance, Meloni has repeatedly asserted her commitment to Europe. She has clarified that Italy remains firmly within the EU and that she does not blindly follow either Washington or Brussels. Since founding her Brothers of Italy party in 2012, Meloni has sought to maintain strong ties with the U.S. while gradually softening her once fiery euroscepticism. However, Trump’s increasingly aggressive approach to global politics has put European allies on high alert, prompting them to reevaluate their geopolitical strategies. France and Britain have taken the lead in coordinating Europe’s response to Trump, while Germany is ramping up military spending in a significant show of force.
Meloni had initially hoped to serve as a key intermediary between the EU and the White House. However, analysts suggest she currently lacks the leverage to play such a role, particularly as Trump’s policies continue to destabilize international relations. Experts believe that if Trumpism evolves into a more constructive phase, Meloni may be able to capitalize on her ideological alignment and personal rapport with Trump to bridge the gap between Europe and the U.S.
Last month, Meloni called for an urgent summit between the U.S. and its allies following Trump’s controversial remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House. However, Washington ignored her request, highlighting her limited influence in shaping U.S. foreign policy. Reports suggest she is seeking a meeting with Trump in March or April, coinciding with the EU’s planned imposition of counter-tariffs on $28 billion worth of U.S. goods in retaliation for U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. In her latest parliamentary address, Meloni questioned the effectiveness of retaliatory tariffs and urged Europe to maintain military cooperation with the U.S. within the NATO framework.
Concerns over Trump’s wavering commitment to NATO have led the European Commission to propose an ambitious 800 billion-euro defense spending initiative. France has even suggested extending its nuclear deterrence umbrella to European allies. While Meloni has acknowledged the need for Europe to strengthen its defense capabilities, she has cautioned against any notion of Europe acting independently from NATO, calling such an approach “naive at best, and mad at worst.” However, she has stopped short of confirming whether Italy, which currently spends only 1.5% of its GDP on defense—well below NATO’s 2% target—will increase its military budget. Trump’s demand for NATO members to contribute at least 5% of their GDP to defense expenditures has further complicated matters, as Italy’s heavily indebted economy struggles to accommodate such demands.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Meloni’s reluctance to boost defense spending has weakened her standing in Washington. Trump’s “America First” approach places a strong emphasis on fair burden-sharing within NATO, and Italy’s low contribution has not gone unnoticed. Analysts predict that while other nations may face Trump’s scrutiny first, Italy will eventually be targeted for its defense budget shortfalls.
Within Italy, Meloni faces additional challenges from her coalition partner, the far-right League party, which strongly opposes participation in the European Commission’s “ReArm” defense initiative. Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, a senior League member, has openly dismissed the proposal, arguing that the Italian public is not in favor of increased military spending. The anti-war stance of Pope Francis further influences public opinion, with a recent IPSOS poll revealing that 39% of Italians oppose ReArm, compared to just 28% in favor.
Despite these concerns, Italy’s defense industry stands to gain significantly from increased military spending. Major firms like Leonardo and Fincantieri could capitalize on lucrative opportunities if Italy chooses to engage in the ReArm initiative. European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius has emphasized that this is a crucial moment for the defense sector, warning that Italy risks missing out on significant economic and employment benefits if it remains on the sidelines.
Political analysts believe that while Meloni’s instincts align with America, her pragmatic approach will ultimately dictate her decisions. Italy’s economy is deeply intertwined with Germany and other EU nations, making a full pivot towards the U.S. unlikely. As Europe and the U.S. continue to drift apart under Trump’s leadership, Meloni will have to carefully navigate Italy’s position to avoid being sidelined by both power blocs. Whether she can maintain this precarious balancing act remains to be seen, but her ability to do so will shape Italy’s role on the global stage in the coming years.
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