Giorgia Meloni’s transatlantic tightrope: balancing Trump ties and European unity

Department of Research, Studies and International News 16-04-2025

As Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni prepares for a high-stakes meeting in Washington, she finds herself walking a political tightrope, one that requires her to nurture her growing rapport with Donald Trump while upholding commitments to her European partners. The upcoming summit with Trump, scheduled for Thursday, marks their first official bilateral discussion and represents a test of Meloni’s diplomatic balancing act on the world stage.

Their relationship began less formally. The two were first seen deep in conversation at a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron last December, following the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. That evening, at the opulent Élysée Palace, captured in a now-circulated photograph, showed them in apparent harmony. Soon after, Trump praised Meloni as “a real live wire” and someone capable of helping “straighten out the world,” signaling an affinity that transcends mere political pleasantries.

The connection only deepened with Meloni’s brief visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and her attendance at his presidential inauguration, an unusual move for a European leader. But while their ideological similarities are clear, Meloni’s party, Brothers of Italy, shares nationalist leanings with Trump’s Republicans, her role as a head of state demands a more nuanced approach.

Meloni’s visit comes shortly after Trump delayed certain tariff hikes on European goods, making her the first European leader to meet with him since the pause. For Meloni, the timing is ripe to assert herself as a bridge between Trump’s America and the European Union. However, the trip is raising concerns among EU officials, wary of potential fractures in transatlantic unity.

Reports suggest that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has coordinated with Meloni ahead of the meeting, highlighting the importance of presenting a united front. Yet some EU voices remain uneasy. French industry minister Marc Ferracci recently warned that Meloni’s solo diplomatic overture might jeopardize Europe’s cohesive stance against U.S. trade threats.

Meloni’s past positions only add to these concerns. While she has largely supported Ukraine during Joe Biden’s presidency, her party notably abstained from a European Parliament vote reaffirming aid to Kyiv. She has also kept a cautious distance from France and the UK’s push for a “coalition of the willing” on military matters.

Despite her history of Euroscepticism, Meloni seems increasingly aware of the need for strategic compromise. Belgian MEP Kathleen van Brempt acknowledges the apprehension surrounding Meloni’s visit but believes the Italian leader is constrained by her obligations to EU institutions. “She can’t go beyond what has already been agreed upon,” van Brempt said, noting that opening dialogue is the primary goal.

Antonio Giordano, a senior figure in Meloni’s party and secretary-general of the European Conservatives and Reformists group, described the prime minister’s approach as direct and solution-focused. He emphasized her willingness to engage honestly, whether with Trump or EU officials. Giordano also noted Meloni’s capacity to build rapport across ideological divides, citing her “good relationship” with Biden as well.

While political sympathy may bind her to Trump, Meloni remains conscious of her national and European responsibilities. Italy, the EU’s third-largest exporter to the U.S., has a vested interest in preserving favorable trade relations. Analysts speculate that she may push to shield key Italian products like wine, cheese, and pasta from potential U.S. tariffs.

Another critical topic is China. Meloni previously withdrew Italy from the Belt and Road Initiative and has since focused on recalibrating trade ties with Beijing. During her Washington visit, she is expected to align more closely with the U.S. position on limiting EU-China cooperation, as trade tensions between Washington and Beijing intensify.

Domestically, Meloni also faces challenges. Matteo Salvini, head of the League party and her coalition partner, remains an unabashed Trump supporter and critic of the EU’s Ukraine policy. Meloni must carefully navigate this internal pressure while projecting a unified stance abroad.

Despite appearances, not everyone believes Meloni will become Trump’s preferred interlocutor in Europe. Sandro Gozi, a former Italian minister and MEP with the Renew Europe group, argues that Trump views the EU as a strategic obstacle and is unlikely to treat Meloni as a key partner in negotiations. “She might appear to be Trump’s ‘chosen one’, but he’s made it clear that any real engagement will happen through von der Leyen,” Gozi said.

Meloni, for her part, seems to be hedging her bets. Recently, she even made an appearance at a congress held by Azione, a centrist opposition party in Italy. Its leader, Carlo Calenda, believes Meloni faces a defining choice. “She’s at a crossroads,” he said. “Trump sees Europe as a target, not a partner. But our future lies with Europe. I don’t think she’s made her choice yet.”

As Meloni heads to Washington, all eyes will be on how she handles the meeting. It’s not just about fostering ties with a former, and possibly future, U.S. president. It’s about proving she can be a stateswoman for both Italy and Europe, in an increasingly fractured world.