European leaders hope that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni can persuade U.S. President Donald Trump not to impose tariffs on the EU and to continue supporting Ukraine, according to the Financial Times on Thursday.

In contrast, Ms Meloni is the leader of a nationalist party with protectionist instincts. ■ For more expert analysis of the biggest stories in economics, finance and markets, sign up to Money Talks, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter.

Giorgia Meloni’s presence at Donald Trump’s inauguration aimed to reinforce her status as a privileged interlocutor with the new US administration. But this position carries risks for Italy and the EU.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been invited to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration ... Trump’s decision to invite like-minded far-right politicians, including those challenging EU leaders for domestic power, have fuelled such claims.

Big vacuum - "Giorgia Meloni has better relations with Trump than any other ... or to do with Elon Musk", she told AFP. In terms of other EU interlocutors, the bloc's institutional leaders have struggled to get facetime with Trump and his incoming team.

Italy has resumed sending illegal migrants to its new Albania processing centre as Giorgia Meloni, the country’s prime minister, attempts to circumvent the European Court of Justice (ECJ...

Critics noted the meeting's absence, but ECR Secretary-General Antonio Giordano, who was in Washington with Meloni, played down its significance to Euractiv, stating Meloni spent four hours with Trump, a meeting that had a positive outcome. NATO chief says Europe must replace US in Ukraine aid

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington on Monday, her office confirmed on Saturday. Meloni will be one of the highest-profile European politicians to attend the event.

The Italian leader has the potential to serve as a key European ally in the quest for peace in Europe and the Middle East.

However, experts say Italian PM Giorgia Meloni may act as the bridge between Trump & EU. Meloni visited Mar-a-Lago earlier this month & is likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Watch for more ...

At the dawn of a new Trump era in Washington, the role that far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni could play in ... who will be reappointed after the EU elections of June 2024.