Italy, long a master of diplomatic balancing, is reclaiming its traditional role as a geopolitical hinge between Europe and the wider world. Under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Rome blends nationalist rhetoric with pragmatic alliances by playing Brussels and Washington with equal calculation. As ever, Italy pursues influence through flexibility, not fixed loyalties.
By Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager
Meloni’s diplomatic balancing act: Strategic chameleonism
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s relatively recent visit to former U.S. President Donald Trump spotlights Italy’s tightrope walk between European solidarity and a revived transatlantic flirtation. Controversial and calculating, Meloni continues to toy with America’s favor. She was the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration in January and counts tech titan Elon Musk among her allies.
In many ways, Meloni reflects Europe’s own identity crisis: regional power, global ambition. Italy, after all, was a founding pillar of the European Union.
More than that, it even hosted the signing of the Treaties of Rome in 1957 , the foundation acts of the European Economic Community. Yet, for decades, it has often stood just outside the core of EU influence, overshadowed by the Franco-German partnership.
Still, when the moment’s right, Italy knows how to wield its leverage, especially as a bridge between clashing camps in Brussels.
In Washington, Meloni made her pitch to Trump: a tighter ideological alliance over shared disdain for “woke” politics, DEI agendas, and lax immigration. She offered a sweetener, which meant more Italian investment in the U.S., as a way to cool transatlantic trade disputes. But she didn’t abandon Europe entirely. She reiterated her support for Ukraine, a direct contrast to Trump’s skepticism of continued U.S. involvement.
Meloni is walking a fine line. She straddles continents, ideologies, and expectations. She’s casting herself as a transatlantic mediator, attempting to serve both Brussels and Washington without burning bridges on either side. The gamble? Finding that elusive golden middle.
A recent example illustrates this balancing act: while firmly supporting Ukraine within the EU framework and endorsing NATO’s unified stance, Meloni simultaneously cultivates strong personal ties with U.S. conservatives such as former President Trump and business leaders like Elon Musk, openly aligning with their critiques of “woke” culture and migration policies. This dual positioning underscores her strategy of navigating between ideological camps to maximize Italy’s leverage in both European and transatlantic arenas.
How often can Italy flip a Janus coin?
In the 1st century AD, Emperor Vespasian slapped a tax on public urinals. The historical context explains the situation: urine at that time was valuable for tanning and laundering. When his son Titus balked at the idea, Vespasian famously held up a coin and said, “Pecunia non olet“ —”money does not smell.” In other words, the origin of wealth is irrelevant, as it spends the same. This is one perfect metaphor for Meloni’s Italy.
Another perfect metaphor is that of a double-faced Janus coin, also of ancient Roman origin – something that has defined Italy’s political strategy of duplicity and switching sides on the world arena throughout its complicated history.
Italy has long mastered the art of strategic balancing—call it pragmatism, duplicity, or just survival.
During the Renaissance, city-states like Venice and Florence played rival European powers against one another. In World War I, Italy flipped from the Central Powers to the Allies. In World War II, Mussolini’s regime initially backed Nazi Germany but switched to the Allies in 1943 when the tide turned. During the Cold War, Italy walked a fine line between NATO commitments and a powerful domestic Communist Party.
In the post-Cold War EU, Italy has continued to carve out its own lane by pushing for leniency on issues like immigration and fiscal rules. Under Meloni, the balancing act goes on: cozying up to conservative power players like Trump and right-wing European allies, while still challenging Brussels on key policy fronts. Italy’s diplomacy, past and present, is all about one point: making alliances that serve its own national interests, regardless of where the power comes from.
It’s the economy, stupid…
“It’s the economy, stupid” is a phrase from Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign, used to emphasize that economic issues are often the driving force behind politics. It’s now shorthand for the idea that, in the end, the economy shapes public opinion and political power. Italy follows suit.
Under Giorgia Meloni, Italy is walking a fine line between nationalist rhetoric and pragmatic Euro-dependence.
While she critiques EU bureaucracy at home, her government remains the largest recipient of EU recovery funds, securing €191.5 billion from the NextGenerationEU program. In addition, Italy continues to benefit from long-standing cohesion and structural funds, particularly the economically struggling south, often called the Mezzogiorno region. Far from being a fringe player, Italy is actually central to the EU’s narrative of solidarity and survival. Meloni may champion sovereignty, but Italy’s future is still closely tied to Brussels’ financial support. For example, in 2023 the European Union temporarily delayed part of Italy’s recovery payments because the government was falling behind on certain reforms, such as improving how public contracts are awarded and making government services more digital. This shows how EU funding remains closely linked to Italy’s ability to meet Brussels’ conditions. In sum, it’s a delicate balancing act, as it maintains ideological independence while recognizing the need for financial cooperation.
At the same time, Meloni is “courting” the USA with a shrewd diplomatic strategy, playing both Trump and Musk to Italy’s advantage. She leverages Italy’s geopolitical position to ease trade tensions and secure important agreements. Trump has been quick to praise her anti-woke stance, while Meloni promises to help resolve trade issues and boost U.S. gas imports, all while keeping Italy at the forefront of negotiations. With Musk, she’s positioning Italy as a key partner in tech and energy, navigating the global game with both finesse and ambition. Italy runs a substantial trade surplus with the U.S. and underspends on NATO defense—two things that typically trigger Trump’s criticism. Yet with Meloni, he’s been full of admiration: “She’s taken Europe by storm,” he said, even agreeing to meet again in Rome.
And Meloni’s diplomatic reach extends beyond the U.S. She’s also making moves in the Middle East, particularly with Saudi Arabia. By promoting Italy as a gateway to Europe, she’s securing key investments in energy and infrastructure, all while boosting Italian exports and increasing her diplomatic leverage. For instance, in 2023, Italy signed multi-billion-euro energy cooperation agreements with Saudi Aramco, while Italian companies like Eni have expanded their stakes in regional energy projects. Rome has also strengthened defense and technology partnerships with Gulf countries, positioning Italy as a strategic interlocutor between Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. It’s a sophisticated mix of economic gain and international influence, and Meloni is positioning Italy as a powerful player on the global stage.
Will all roads lead to Rome?
Giorgia Meloni is tightening ties with Trump, aiming to make the West great again and to elevate Italy’s role in EU-U.S. relations—especially on trade. During her meetings with Trump and U.S. business leaders, she has emphasized Italy’s willingness to mediate transatlantic disputes over digital taxation, industrial subsidies, and defense spending. Meloni has also positioned Italy as a potential hub for increased U.S. LNG imports and has sought greater American investment in Italian high-tech and energy sectors. But cozying up to Washington risks ruffling feathers in Brussels, where some EU leaders view her overt alignment with Trump’s “America First” rhetoric and skepticism toward EU centralization as a potential source of friction within the Union.
Trump praised Meloni for her strong leadership, and they talked about trade, but didn’t rush to make any changes to tariffs. Even though the meeting seemed positive, many people in Europe are still careful and watching closely. This is because there are still worries about how the U.S. and Europe will work together, especially with ongoing global tensions. So, while Trump praised Meloni’s leadership, and both sides talked trade, Europe watches warily.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis’ final days brought unexpected political symbolism. Vice President JD Vance’s meeting with the ailing Pope sparked mixed reactions in Italy, highlighting their ideological rift on issues like immigration. The meeting, just before the Pope’s death, raised eyebrows for its timing and messaging.
Now, the moment is ripe for diplomatic theater—and for Meloni, a high-stakes test of influence without alienation.
Italy stands at a historic crossroads, with the opportunity to assert itself as a vital bridge between Europe and the wider world. As global tensions rise and alliances shift, Italy’s choices will shape not only its own future but also the balance of power in Europe and beyond. More than ever, Italy must rise to the challenge and embrace its role as a decisive force in shaping the world’s next chapter.
Dr. Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager is a Professor of Intercultural Communication and International Studies at Colorado State University, and a Director of Education Abroad Programs in Europe.
