Investing.com -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, known for her close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, has warned European partners not to escalate a trade dispute with the United States. On Tuesday, she advised against implementing retaliatory tariffs and called for the continuation of longstanding cooperation between Western allies.
Meloni emphasized the importance of preserving established connections between Europe and the United States. She distanced herself from the idea that European Union nations should create an independent security umbrella.
Speaking to parliament before a summit of EU leaders later in the week, Meloni stated that a lasting security guarantee could not be achieved by dividing Europe and the United States. She expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of responding to tariffs with more tariffs, suggesting it could lead to inflation and economic slowdown.
The Italian Prime Minister advocated for Italy to seek logical, common-sense solutions between the United States and Europe, rather than relying on instinctive reactions.
Meloni has a strong relationship with President Trump. She was the only European leader present at his presidential inauguration in January. This event occurred shortly after she met with him for discussions at his Mar-a-Lago retreat.
Addressing military matters, Meloni clarified that the deployment of Italian troops to Ukraine was not under consideration. She also expressed concerns about the proposal by France and the United Kingdom (TADAWUL:4280) to deploy European troops, describing it as a complex, risky, and ineffective option.
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