So Meloni did take that call after all

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni is in Italy to meet with President Donald Trump amid heightened tensions between the United States and the European Union over trade tariffs and broader transatlantic tensions.The official joint statement from the White House emphasized the commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation on security, defense, and technology, as well as to address issues such as illegal immigration and organized crime. The leaders also reiterated their support for ending the war in Ukraine and strengthening NATO. In addition, the trip was conducted with significant consultation with EU partners, and she has publicly committed to representing European interests. Nonetheless, skepticism remains within the EU about whether this approach can truly serve the collective European good, or if it risks fragmenting the EU’s position in critical negotiations with the US.I wrote about Italy’s temptation to engage alone with the US a little while back, and I stand by it: There is a real risk for European countries engaging on bilateral terms with the Trump administration to be completely steamrolled by the US. This is a hallmark of a transactional globalization. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeremyghez.substack.com/subscribe