Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she expected her relationship with US President Donald Trump to be easier, given their shared positions on immigration and cultural issues, according to an interview reported by The New York Times.
Meloni said she initially believed the two governments would find it easier to work together. However, she acknowledged that relations have developed differently from what she expected.
“With Donald Trump, I thought things would be easier,” Meloni said, according to the report.
Meloni-Trump Relations Face Tensions
The Italian leader also indicated that she had not spoken with Trump for several weeks. Asked whether the two leaders planned to meet after the summer break, Meloni gave a cautious response.
“We will see,” she said, while stressing that Western unity remains important.
Meloni also emphasized that Italy’s foreign policy does not depend on her personal relationship with the US president. She said Italy should not see itself as subordinate to other countries and called for what she described as a “revolution of pride” within Italy.
Meloni Defends Her Political Views
During the interview, Meloni also discussed her views on language and equality. She defended her preference for the masculine form of the Italian word for president, arguing that equality should focus on a woman’s freedom to hold the country’s highest political offices rather than on the terminology used to describe her.
She also revisited her well-known political message about being a woman, mother, Italian and Christian. Meloni said the words resonated with people who felt that their cultural and personal identities faced growing pressure.
A Look at Meloni’s Political Background
The New York Times profile also examines Meloni’s early life in Rome’s Garbatella district, her family background and her rise through Italian politics.
Her political career began in Italy’s conservative and nationalist movement. She later became leader of the Brothers of Italy party and rose to become Italy’s prime minister.
The latest comments offer a glimpse into the challenges surrounding Meloni-Trump relations, despite the ideological similarities the two leaders have often highlighted. Her remarks also underline the delicate balance Italy faces as it seeks to maintain close ties with Washington while pursuing its own foreign-policy priorities.
