Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Brothers of Italy, member of the European Conservatives and Reformists) was the only sitting European leader to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration in January.
Vula Tsetsi, co-chair of the European Green Party said: "Now that President Trump has announced a 50% tariff on European products, the far-right leaders like Meloni who were cozying up to Trump have a lot of explaining to do. European businesses will get into trouble due to Trump’s crazy tariffs. The US is Italy's largest market for wine, accounting for €1.9 billion in 2024, or 24% of Italy's global wine exports. How will Meloni explain to Italian winemakers that she danced with the devil, who is now destroying Italian family businesses?”
Ciarán Cuffe, co-chair of the European Green Party, added, "Now, confronted with this trade war initiated by Trump, the EU must stay united and support the most affected member states. A common approach is essential to prevent division and protect our economy, citizens, and the climate transition. But, when European farmers’ exports plummet, remember who played cheerleaders at Trump's inauguration: Giorgia Meloni, together with Santiago Abascal (Spain’s Vox party, Patriots), and the former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (PiS), who is now president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR).”
