What he said. At a high-level event hosted by the Centro Studi Americani in Rome, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani laid out a robust vision for strengthening transatlantic relations.
- In a call to unity, he stressed that the transatlantic relationship is a tremendous asset for Italy, Europe, and the United States – a great history of friendship that must be continuously nurtured for the security of the West and the growth of our economies.
- His remarks follow a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Canada, where he held an in-depth “360-degree” conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and a challenging European Council summit that exposed difficulties in EU unity and strategic alignment.
- This afternoon, Matteo Salvini, the other Deputy Prime Minister (and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport), spoke with US Vice President JD Vance on the phone.
Why it matters. Tajani’s message is clear: the transatlantic alliance is more essential than ever.
- He warned that a future peace process in Ukraine can only succeed with Europe and the United States firmly at the negotiating table.
- For Tajani, the deep economic interdependence and joint defence efforts between the US and EU remain critical for global stability.
Economic focus. Tajani praised the profound economic partnership across the Atlantic.
- He advocated for rebalancing trade flows to everyone’s satisfaction, emphasising increased Italian investment in the United States.
- He also underlined the importance of importing more American defence equipment to bolster Europe’s strategic pillar within NATO.
Defence and security. Tajani strongly endorsed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s security plan, viewing it as vital to deter future aggression and prove Europe’s reliability as a US ally.
- He cautioned against excluding industrial cooperation with the United States in shaping European defence, calling such a move a strategic error.
Support for Ukraine. Reiterating Italy’s commitment to a “just and lasting peace,” Tajani stressed that any future security guarantees for Ukraine are impossible without direct American involvement.
- His remarks reinforced the need for a united transatlantic front, ensuring the EU remains an indispensable partner in supporting Kyiv.
Innovation and beyond. Looking beyond traditional defence, Tajani highlighted innovation as a new frontier for cooperation.
- He cited Italy’s contribution to a recent NASA lunar mission, made possible by cutting-edge Italian technology and the “spirit of innovation” from a leading company in the Veneto region.
