In part, Meloni’s actions reflect Italy’s terror at the prospect of losing its historically close ties to the U.S., which it sees as insurance against the Franco-German axis that dominates EU affairs. Unlike other European leaders, she believes that Trump can still be reasoned with and that his trade threats are little more than a brash negotiating tactic, according to two Italian officials familiar with the government’s foreign policy stance.
Meloni also wants to show that she can obtain concessions from Trump and that “if we are less hysterical, we can work with Washington,” said one of the officials, acknowledging that her credibility in Brussels is on the line if she fails.
At nearly €40 billion, Italy’s trade surplus with the U.S. is the third-largest among EU countries — behind Germany and Ireland. Its top exports are machinery, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, fashion, and food and beverages. It’s no surprise that Meloni is under pressure from Italian exporters to spare them from Trump’s tariffs.
Flying solo
Some European leaders, notably French President Emmanuel Macron, warn that Trump’s goal is to divide EU countries and push them to negotiate bilateral deals with the U.S. administration.
For them, Meloni’s trip looks especially suspect, coming after she frustrated European allies with her quiet pushback against bloc-wide plans to rearm as Trump began to withdraw support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s 3-year-old war of aggression.
French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci reacted allergically last week to news that Meloni was heading to Washington, saying Europe needed to stay united. But Paris seems to have since calmed down and has stopped publicly criticizing her mission. And Meloni has already touched base with Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, to discuss the trip, said Commission spokesperson Arianna Podestà.
