Budapest – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the European Union to prioritize internal reforms, emphasizing the need to address competitiveness, tariffs, and defense spending in the wake of Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency. Speaking on Friday before the EU leaders’ summit in Budapest, Meloni stressed the urgency for Europe to forge its own path during a period marked by political and economic challenges.
“Don’t ask what the U.S. can do for you, ask what Europe should do for itself,” Meloni declared, highlighting the importance of EU self-sufficiency as the bloc faces potential economic and geopolitical shifts with Trump back in power.
Meloni, a conservative leader seen as potentially aligned with Trump’s vision, underscored the importance of fostering European resilience and competitiveness. She pointed to tariffs and defense spending as critical areas for strategic focus, noting that Europe must find a sustainable balance to safeguard its economic position and security.
The Italian leader’s remarks come amid a backdrop of division within the EU, as influential nations like Germany and France navigate political headwinds. The summit in Budapest is set to include discussions on competitiveness, with former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi presenting insights on the matter.
Meloni also spoke favorably about Tesla CEO and Trump ally Elon Musk, describing him as an “added value” and a productive interlocutor. This follows her phone conversation with Musk after Trump’s election win, signaling potential future dialogues between European leaders and influential business figures.
On defense, Meloni echoed the call from Italian ministers for EU support in achieving NATO’s defense spending target of 2% of GDP. This challenge has been compounded by Italy’s significant public debt, which restricts budgetary flexibility. Meloni suggested that EU fiscal policies should permit greater leeway for defense investments, underlining the need for new funding strategies.
“New resources must be found for strategic choices, which I agree with, but we must also consider how we can support member states in accessing those resources,” Meloni stated, urging a unified EU approach to bolster both security and economic resilience as it adapts to new global dynamics.