On Thursday, U.S President Joe Biden and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met at the White House. The meeting focused on the shared stance of both Rome and Washington on Ukraine. The White House downplayed the differences between the two countries on the matters of China, abortion and LGBTQ rights, and immigration.
What was discussed in the meeting?
POTUS Joe Biden and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni vowed to strengthen economic ties and increase cooperation on the threats posed by China. The two leaders discussed Italy’s involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, Meloni said that the US did not try to impose its views on Italy.
Biden stated that the US and Italy were “standing strong” with Ukraine and that Meloni’s government had provided “very strong support” against Russian atrocities.
Where do the differences lie?
Critics have branded PM Meloni’s government as Italy’s first far-right administration since fascist leader Benito Mussolini’s during the Second World War. Meloni expressed her pride in Italy’s support for Ukraine on Thursday.
In contrast to comments last year in which he expressed concern about the effects of Meloni’s election on democracy and foreign alliances like NATO, Biden welcomed the Italian president warmly.
Brothers of Italy, the party to which Meloni belongs, has historical ties to Mussolini’s fascist regime. The party is opposed to mass immigration, has limited same-sex parental rights, and is in favour of far-right political parties in Spain and Poland. However, Meloni has surprised observers by taking more moderate stances on issues such as immigration than they predicted and feared.
In a statement to reporters on Thursday, Meloni said that though she aligned more closely with the Republicans, it should not be an obstacle to a “great relationship” with Biden.
Last year, Biden used Italy’s election results to warn liberals about the dangers facing the democratic states. This was in reference to Meloni’s policies on LGBTQ and abortion rights. After yesterday’s meeting, however, Meloni informed reporters that neither Biden nor the many American lawmakers she spoke with discussed LGBTQ rights.
Where is the common ground?
John Kirby, US National Security Council spokesperson, downplaying the controversial Meloni regime, said that Italy is a democracy and the president respects that.
Kirby refrained from commenting on disagreements on China, instead stating that the two leaders spoke about “shared concerns, perspectives, and challenges” pertaining to the nation.
Joining the Belt and Road Initiative in 2019, Italy became the first G7 country to do so. Italy’s involvement in the project is being considered by Meloni; if neither party withdraws, it will automatically renew next year. Meloni has suggested that Rome can maintain positive relations with China even without being a part of the deal.
Rome and Washington both highlighted the trip as a chance to reinforce a strong collaboration between the two nations, notably with regard to the billions of dollars in military and other aid that the West has given Ukraine in its war against Russia since 2022.
Through the West’s coalition against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Washington aspires to prevent China from altering the status quo in democratic Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, and the larger Pacific.
According to President Biden, mutual trade and commerce between the United States and Italy will only grow.
