The Globalist Italy’s Meloni meets Trump in Washington
Apr 17, 2025
Amy Kasman, Rome correspondent for the Financial Times, discusses Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's precarious diplomatic visit to Washington to meet Donald Trump amid trade tensions. Inga Thordar, Chief External Relations Officer at the Oceanborne Foundation, highlights Europe's shifting security priorities, including Switzerland's military training abroad. Michael Binion, Foreign Affairs specialist for The Times, touches on Singapore’s elections and the unexpected rise of 'slow TV' in the Nordics, exploring its cultural significance in today's fast-paced society.
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Italy Depends on US Market
- Italy highly depends on the US as its second biggest export market with $70 billion worth of exports last year.
- Tariffs threaten Italian industries significantly and could reduce GDP growth by a few tenths of a percentage point.
Meloni's Unique Trump Access
- Giorgia Meloni's relationship with Trump could influence tariff discussions despite lacking EU mandate.
- EU officials struggle to understand Trump's exact goals, making Meloni's direct talks valuable.
Meloni's Past Success with Trump
- Meloni successfully negotiated the release of an Italian journalist jailed in Tehran by engaging Trump directly.
- This past success boosts her confidence going into tariff negotiations with Trump at the White House.