Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni returned from Paris expressing satisfaction after her first meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. The informal encounter, held during the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral, also included a discussion with Elon Musk. Meloni shared photos of the meetings on her Facebook page, describing the event as “a pleasant opportunity for dialogue.” The meeting with Trump, hastily arranged after a dinner hosted by Emmanuel Macron, marked the start of what is being characterized as a cordial relationship. Notably, Meloni received an invitation to Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
While details of the discussion remain undisclosed, insiders speculate that the brief conversation touched on pressing global issues, including the war in Ukraine, Middle East tensions (with a focus on Syria), U.S.-China relations, and trade policies affecting the European Union. These topics are expected to be further explored during a future bilateral meeting. Elon Musk, a close confidant of Trump, played a notable role in facilitating the conversation. His Italian spokesperson, Andrea Stroppa, emphasized the potential for Italy to strengthen its position as a privileged European partner to the U.S., a sentiment he hopes will resonate across Italy’s political spectrum.
The meeting stirred political debate in Italy. Stroppa’s comments praising the event drew criticism from opposition leader Carlo Calenda, who questioned the appropriateness of a private individual commenting on institutional matters. Calenda accused Stroppa of promoting personal interests and warned against foreign oligarchs interfering in Italian politics. Despite this, the encounter has sparked optimism within Meloni’s government about forging closer ties with the U.S. and leveraging opportunities for Italian businesses.
