France has no fears over Premier
Giorgia Meloni's trip to see US President Donald Trump in
Washington next Thursday, a French government spokesperson said
after a French minister had suggested the visit might break EU
unity on Trump's tariffs.
''(Meloni's visit) does not worry us because all voices that
allow dialogue with the United States are welcome, especially
since Ms Meloni indicated on Monday, through her delegation,
that she was in solidarity with the European Union and that she
is part of the European Union'', said Sophie Primas.
''Obviously - Primas continued - it is this unity that we must
show to the United States. Once again: no worries''.
French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci said earlier Wednesday
that Meloni's trip to Washington next week risks breaking EU
unity in the face of Trump's hefty tariffs on imports to the
United States.
Rome has said Meloni, who has friendly relations with Trump, is
seeking to act as a bridge between the EU and the US, which has
imposed 20% tariffs on European goods.
"If we start having bilateral talks, this dynamic (of European
unity) that is present at the moment will end up breaking,"
Ferracci said when asked about Meloni's visit to the White
House.
"It's a risk.
"It is a risk that has been present since the beginning, because
we know that Donald Trump has a fairly clear, simple strategy -
to divide the Europeans.
"In the face of this risk we must be united, because Europe is
only strong if it is united".
But European People's Party (EPP) President Manfred Weber said
that he supported Italian Meloni's decision to fly out to
Washington.
"I welcome all attempts to talk to Trump," Weber told a press
conference presenting the EPP's congress in Valencia.
"Meloni and (Deputy Premier, Foreign Minister and centre-right
post Berlusconi Forza Italia leader Antonio) Tajani think and
work with an outlook to defend Europe's interests.
"Populist leaders, on the other hand, are instead selling out
our interests as Europeans".
When asked if he considered Italian Deputy Premier, Transport
Minister and League leader Matteo Salvini to be among them,
Weber replied: "there are many populist leaders in Europe".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
