The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to the White home showed that European politics can play the first violin in dealing with the Donald Trump administration. In the face of trade tensions between the United States and the European Union, Meloni, as the first European leader after the announcement of the fresh duties, tried to settle the conflict. Her gathering with Trump took place in a warm atmosphere and ended with declarations of willingness to agree – which, although inactive far from concrete, shows the possible for dialogue.
Prime Minister Meloni does not hide that she is connected to Trump by a conservative imagination of the world. It underlines the common position on migration, criticism of the "woke" ideology and the belief that the West must regain its strength. Her words "My goal is to make the West large again, and I think we can do it together" are not only a mention to Trump's slogan, but besides a signal that Italy wants to be a bridge between Europe and America in times of geopolitical uncertainty.
Meloni, presenting herself as a pragmatic and effective leader, seeks not only the interests of Italy but besides the negotiating position of the full EU. As Al Jazeera noted, European leaders are counting on her to give Europe a more accessible speech to Trump. It is not an easy function – it balances the expectations of the Italian electorate with the interests of the EU, which makes its political mission highly complex.
"I think the best way is to simply talk honestly about the needs of each of us and find common solutions beneficial to all," Meloni said at a joint press conference. "I wouldn't have come to Washington if I didn't think the U.S. was a reliable trading partner."
Donald Trump, on the another hand, did not spare much praise for the Italian Prime Minister: "There will be a trade agreement, at 100 percent," he declared, at the same time stating that he was "not in a hurry" to sign the contract.
"Customs make us rich. We lost quite a few money for Biden, and now this trend has turned around," he stressed.
Although historically akin approach tried to prosecute Silvio Berlusconi in relations with George W. Bush, experts announcement differences. Trump is simply a more cooperative politician, little predictable. Nevertheless, Meloni seems aware of these challenges and does not run distant from the risks.
Faced with Trump's acute rhetoric towards the EU and its expectations of expanding NATO spending or changing approach to immigration, Meloni shows that he can talk to the erstwhile (and possibly future) president of the United States without giving up his own beliefs. Her attitude towards Ukraine remains unambiguous and independent – she criticises Russia's aggression despite Trump's cold statements about Zelenski.
Will Giorgia Meloni truly become the face of European pragmatism in Washington? For now, she has proved that she can find herself in hard conditions and build relationships that can bring concrete benefits – for Italy and for a wider European context.
