(Adnkronos) – Italy’s premier Giorgia Meloni can leverage her friendship with United States president Donald Trump in any tariff negotiations he has with EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Tuesday.
“I believe we need to dialogue with the US. And Italy is the best ambassador to represent not just itself but also the entire European Union,” Tajani told public broadcaster Rai3’s Re Start programme.
“What has occurred in recent hours shows that dialogue can serve to get advantageous results for everyone,” Tajani said.
Tajani referred to news that Trump on Monday suspended 25% tariffs of on neighbouring Mexico and Canada for 30 days in exchange for concessions on border and crime enforcement.
Meloni, who has a warm relationship with Trump, is ideally placed to mediate in any US-EU negotiations over tariffs, Tajani claimed.
“Pragmatism is really necessary. I believe if Europe negotiates as one it will certainly be in a stronger position. And I think that the prime minister can foster dialogue between Trump and von der Leyen,” he said.
Meloni has made a sustained effort to build a reputation as Trump’s main interlocutor in Europe and was the only EU leader invited to Trump’s inauguration in Washington last month.
In early January, Meloni paid a flying visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, where he called her “a fantastic woman” who “has taken Europe by storm”.
