Analysis
Meloni positions herself as Trump’s ‘priviledged interlocutor’ from Europe
The Italian premier is already putting herself forward as the envoy that can manage relations between the U.S. and the E.U., which promise to be anything but smooth.
When she arrived in Washington, Giorgia Meloni, the only European premier invited to the great party of the global far right, gave only a stripped-down statement about the importance for Italy, “which has extremely strong ties with the United States, to demonstrate its commitment to continuing, and even strengthening, that relationship at a time when challenges are global and interconnected.”
After the U.S. president's explosive inauguration speech, which she attended with her Argentine friend Milei by her side, Meloni, in a hyper-institutional attire of a dark blue suit over a white shirt, went on social media and said mostly the same things, but with an important addition: “Italy will always be committed to consolidating the dialogue between the United States and Europe, as an essential pillar for the stability and growth of our communities.”
Rumors that the Italian Prime Minister would have talks with Trump came from FdI MEP group leader Fidanza: “I would imagine they will meet after lunch.” He also hinted that the topic would be the thorniest: namely, the tariffs announced by the U.S. president in his speech. However, whether the meeting actually takes place or is postponed to a later occasion is of little consequence. In any event, the Italian premier is already putting herself forward as the envoy that can manage relations between the U.S. and the E.U., which promise to be anything but smooth.
Throughout the day of Trump’s inauguration, not only figures from the FdI and FI (with the noticeable absence of the Lega, which had to swallow a bitter pill), but also from the Conservative group in Brussels have been underscoring the role that Giorgia Meloni seems to have de facto already taken up: that of “privileged interlocutor” of the new U.S. administration, and therefore, automatically, that of a bridge between the two sides of the Atlantic, a kind of “ambassador” of the entire E.U. Fidanza was the most euphoric, who was also part of the Washington crew escorting the leader: “We are living a day that will change history. With President Meloni, now recognized by all as Donald Trump's privileged interlocutor in Europe, we look forward to working together to defend our common interests and values.”
At least regarding the “common values,” there is plenty to back up Fidanza’s words, though not quite everything. Unbridled nationalism, a holy war against migrants fought with the rallying cry of “taking no prisoners,” the obsession with militarism of all stripes are indeed part of the heritage of the Italian right. Although for the past two and a half years the former star of sovereignist rallies has been working hard to replace that rough-and-tumble image with a much more sober and institutional one, in a dark suit to directly signal a more moderate approach. Now she has found herself with a powerful ally who has taken her under his protective wing, but who has no moderate, sober or institutional bone in his body, and has no intention to: someone who instead of the classic “I will be everybody's president” can only address the other party and the outgoing administration in the tone that the National Socialists used when talking about Weimar.
But the really big problem is not the values – which, albeit with varying degrees of extremism, do really go hand in hand in the end. The trouble is with the “common interests” part. One really cannot understand what Fidanza is talking about, with a new president who is candidly laying out his plan to make other countries pay for the U.S.’s new wealth. The comment from the very powerful EU Commissioner Dombrovskis, “If there is a need to defend Europe’s economic interests, we are ready to do so,” clarifies the current state of affairs and relations, which is quite opposite to Fidanza’s flights of fancy.
That doesn’t mean that the EU has any intention to deny the Italian premier the role of hinge and channel of communication with Trump and Elon Musk. She certainly did arouse some discontent in the immediate aftermath of her decision to fly to Washington after all. But Brussels knows perfectly well that it needs a bridge, and Giorgia Meloni is certainly better than Victor Orbán: at least she isn’t aligned with Putin, and that is by no means a minor detail.
But the mission that the leader of the Italian government and right wing will be most likely tasked with is one the most difficult and one of the heaviest of lifts, not least because neither Trump nor Musk are hiding their intention to engage in bilateral relations with individual European countries much more than with the entire Union. It would be naïve to pretend that Monday’s invitation was not a recognition and honor bestowed on Meloni. But every honor comes with burdens, and in this case, the latter will be very heavy indeed.
Originally published at https://ilmanifesto.it/meloni-da-trump-si-consolida-il-dialogo-ma-il-suo-e-uno-slalom-rischioso on 2025-01-21