Trump’s ‘chosen one’ Meloni heads to Washington for delicate balancing act
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's influence with former US President Donald Trump will be tested during their bilateral summit in Washington on Thursday. This is the first meeting between a European leader and Trump since he paused some planned tariff increases last week.
The summit is likely to be closely observed. Meloni may seek to demonstrate alignment with Trump's political views while strengthening her position as a potential mediator. However, she must also carefully maintain her commitment to Italy's EU partners.
Discussions between Prime Minister Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding a strategy are understood to have taken place. Nevertheless, the solo trip has caused concern among EU allies, with French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci warning last week that it could undermine European unity against US tariffs.
Meloni's prior Eurosceptic stance and defense of a critical attack on European values by Trump's deputy, JD Vance, at the Munich Security Conference in February, raise further concerns among EU allies. She will return to Rome on Friday to meet Vance, who is in Italy for the Easter weekend.
Earlier today, updates on the fragile state of EU-US trade talks in Washington were provided.
On Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will attempt a different approach during talks with US President Donald Trump. Trump has shown greater receptiveness to interventions from individual national leaders than from the EU as a whole.
A report from our Rome correspondent, Angela Giuffrida, follows.
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French President Emmanuel Macron will honor approximately 100 craftspeople and officials involved in the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral. The ceremony at the Élysée Palace will take place around the time of the devastating fire in 2019.
Philippe Jost, head of the restoration organization, will receive the Legion of Honour. Jean-Louis Georgelin, previously in charge of the restoration, will also be posthumously honored.
Architects Rémi Fromont and Philippe Villeneuve will also be recognized, along with nearly 100 civil servants, entrepreneurs, and craftspeople involved in the restoration effort.
Serbian students cycling towards Strasbourg are continuing their journey. Their trip aims to highlight corruption allegations in Serbia.
Their progress can be followed here.
The European Commission is considering allowing European companies to break Russian gas contracts without penalty. This would involve invoking force majeure. The plan is reportedly part of a roadmap to eliminate Russian fossil fuels by 2027.
