Europe
Meloni: I don't regret being close to Trump; I defended Italy's national interest
The Italian prime minister defends her close relationship with the US president in an excerpt from journalist Bruno Vespa's new book. She says it helped keep dialogue open between Europe and the United States.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 29, 2026, 11:00 · Updated 18:43 · 2 min read
In brief
- Giorgia Meloni says her closeness to Donald Trump at the start of his second term served Italy's interest.
- She calls the United States Rome's most important geopolitical and military ally.
- The remarks come from Bruno Vespa's book “Storia della Seconda Repubblica,” out on Nov. 2.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she does not regret having been very close to US President Donald Trump at the start of his second term, presenting it as a way to protect Italy's national interest. The remarks are part of an excerpt from journalist Bruno Vespa's book “Storia della Seconda Repubblica,” to be published on Nov. 2 by Mondadori and Rai Libri, according to the ANSA news agency as cited by ATSH (the Albanian Telegraphic Agency).
“Useful for Italy, Europe and the West”
Meloni recalls that she also had good relations with former President Joe Biden, for which she says she was criticized as well. She describes the United States as Italy's most important geopolitical and military ally and as the main market for Italian products outside the EU, also mentioning the large Italian community living there.
According to her, close ties with Trump helped keep dialogue between Europe and the United States open even during disagreements, something that, according to the excerpt, was appreciated by some European governments, which are not named.
Greenland and the Arctic within NATO
The prime minister singled out the issue of Greenland and Arctic security, saying these matters should be handled within NATO. She added that she takes responsibility for her positions: “Everything was useful for Italy, Europe and the West.”
Meloni, leader of the Brothers of Italy party, has headed the Italian government since October 2022. Her relationship with Trump, who began his second term in January 2025, has often been a subject of debate in Italy and in Brussels, where critics have accused her of putting Washington ahead of European partners.
