The role of Italy in shaping the transatlantic relationship under Trump

Despite the traditional weakness of its economic system, due to high public debt, and the still very low level of defence spending among Western countries, Italy is now going through a period of political stability that makes it a privileged interlocutor within the EU. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has to face problems of internal balance in the government coalition, but at the same time she can boast a good relationship with President Donald Trump and his entourage. The Italian government is strongly determined not to break the transatlantic bond, being a potential mediator between the tough positions of the new US administration and the need for Europe to maintain a positive relationship with it. The internal political balance, the need for positive relations with the new US administration despite its positions on Ukraine, and the leadership on policies for the south and for Africa represent the main challenges for the conservative leader of the Italian government as she is called to dialogue with the European People’s Party.