It would be “childish“ and “superficial“ to suggest that Italy must choose between the European Union and the United States under President Donald Trump, he said today in an interview with the “Financial Times“ Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, reported the Italian news agency ANSA, quoted by BTA.
“Italy can have good relations with the United States and if there is something that Italy can also do to prevent confrontation (of Washington) with Europe and build bridges, I will do it because it is in the interest of Europeans“, the Italian leader told the “Financial Times“, describing the United States as “Italy's primary ally“.
“I am a conservative. Trump is the leader of the Republicans. I am certainly closer to him than to many others, and I understand a leader who defends his national interests. I defend ours,” Meloni said.
She called for calm as the EU plans its response to the Trump administration’s tariffs.
“Sometimes I get the impression that we just respond instinctively. On these issues, we should say: “People, let’s stay calm. Let’s think,“ Meloni said.
“There are big differences (in tariffs) for individual goods. "What we need to work on is to find a good, common solution," the Italian prime minister said.
Meloni added that she understood where US Vice President J.D. Vance's criticism of Europe came from during his speech at the Munich Security Conference in February.
"I have to say I agree with him," the Italian leader said of Vance's claims that Europe has backed down on its commitments to freedom of speech and democracy.
"I've been saying this for years. "Europe has lost itself a little bit," she added.
In the interview, Meloni added that Trump's criticism of the EU was not directed at ordinary people, but at "the ruling class and the idea that instead of addressing reality and finding a way to give people answers, you can just impose your views on them."