Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s recent visit to the US to meet with Donald Trump was more than just a friendly chat; it was a high-stakes diplomatic maneuver fraught with potential pitfalls. As the first European leader to meet Trump since he introduced tariffs on the EU, Meloni found herself walking a tightrope, needing to represent the interests of the entire European Union while simultaneously staying in the good graces of a US president known for his… unconventional approach to international relations.

The crux of the issue is trade. Trump’s imposed tariffs, a 20% levy on EU goods, represent a significant threat to Italy’s economy. Around 10% of Italian exports find their way to the US, making it Italy’s third-largest non-EU trading partner. The tariffs are already impacting Italy’s economic outlook, forcing Rome to halve its growth forecast. Meloni’s initial response was blunt, calling the tariffs « absolutely wrong » and arguing that they would harm both the EU and the US.

Meloni’s strategy appears to be a two-pronged approach. Publicly, she advocates for a « zero-for-zero » tariff deal for the entire EU, a proposition that, on the surface, suggests free and fair trade. However, the reality is far more complex. Behind closed doors, Meloni may be whispering sweet nothings to Trump, hinting at European commitment to buying American, particularly in the areas of defense and liquified natural gas (LNG). Think of it as a strategic courtship, leveraging Europe’s purchasing power to appease the protectionist impulses of the Trump administration.

Crucially, Meloni’s ideological alignment with Trump is a major factor. Where many European leaders recoil at Trump’s rhetoric, Meloni, leading a right-wing coalition, finds common ground. Her echoing of Trump’s talking points – railing against mass migration, « globalist elites, » and « woke ideology » – speaks volumes. This affinity positions her as a potentially valuable ally for Trump, a connection that could be exploited to secure more favorable terms for Italy. However, this cozy relationship has stirred unease within the EU, with some fearing that Meloni might prioritize Italian interests over those of the bloc. The EU operates on a principle of collective bargaining; individual member states aren’t supposed to negotiate separate trade deals.

France, in particular, has voiced concerns about these “bilateral talks,” accusing Trump of trying to divide Europeans. To quell the dissent, the European Commission has stressed that any outreach to the US is welcome but must be closely coordinated with EU institutions. The unstated message is clear: Meloni isn’t a lone wolf; she represents the EU, even if her personal leanings might suggest otherwise.

Riccardo Alcaro of the Italian Institute for International Affairs provides a particularly insightful perspective, stating that Meloni believes the West’s global importance is rooted in the US and that Europe should adapt to, rather than resist, American policies. This viewpoint, coupled with Meloni’s proximity to MAGA Republicans, makes her a unique, albeit potentially controversial, figure in European politics. The trip to Washington was also a chance for some anti-china discourse, another insentive for the US administration.

Whether Meloni can successfully navigate this treacherous terrain remains to be seen. Will she secure a better deal for Italy without undermining the EU’s collective bargaining power? Or will she be perceived as a Trojan horse, undermining European unity to appease a US president whose policies often clash with European values? The world watches, waiting to see if Meloni can turn this diplomatic tightrope walk into a successful high-wire act or a spectacular fall.

Cet article a été fait a partir de ces articles:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkxxnez21yo, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg8q644g5eo, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgq7345yrjo, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g27n775j1o, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c39j7k1n48mo