The escalating feud between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former US President Donald Trump is being viewed by Number 10 as a strategic opportunity to forge a closer alliance with Rome, according to senior government sources. The tension between the two right-wing populists has deepened in recent weeks, with Meloni publicly distancing herself from Trump’s attacks on NATO and his praise for Vladimir Putin. Downing Street believes this creates a chance to strengthen the Anglo-Italian axis on trade, defence, and migration, particularly as Britain seeks to reset relations with European allies after Brexit.
The row erupted after Trump called Meloni “a nice person but not a player” in a recent interview, dismissing her influence on the global stage. Meloni fired back, stating that Italy would not be lectured by someone who “undermines the very alliances that keep Europe safe”. The exchange has delighted many in the UK government, who see Meloni as a natural partner on issues such as curbing illegal immigration and pushing back against Chinese economic influence. A Whitehall source said: “Meloni is a serious operator. She has shown she can work with Brussels while protecting Italian interests. That is exactly the kind of ally we need."
But the opportunity is not without risks. Meloni’s party, Brothers of Italy, has deep ideological roots in the same far-right traditions that Trump has courted. Critics warn that overplaying the Anglo-Italian card could alienate other European capitals, particularly Paris and Berlin, which are already wary of London’s motives. Labour MPs have also expressed concern that cosying up to Meloni, who has clashed with the EU over human rights and migration, could damage Britain’s reputation as a champion of liberal values. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “We must be careful not to trade one populist for another. Our alliances should be based on shared values, not just shared grievances."
Nonetheless, the government is pressing ahead. Trade secretary Kemi Badenoch is expected to visit Rome next month to discuss a new bilateral trade deal, while defence officials are exploring joint naval patrols in the Mediterranean. The hope is that Meloni, feeling snubbed by Trump, will look to London for support. But the relationship is a delicate one. Meloni has her own domestic pressures, including a struggling economy and a restive coalition partner, the far-right League party, which remains sympathetic to Trump. If the feud with Trump escalates further, Meloni could face a backlash from her own base. For now, Downing Street is watching closely, ready to seize the moment.
The broader implication is that the Trump-Meloni rift reflects a deeper fracture in the global right-wing movement. Trump’s isolationism and admiration for authoritarians are increasingly at odds with the more pragmatic, EU-facing right of Meloni and other European leaders. The UK, caught between the US and Europe, must navigate this carefully. But for a government desperate to show post-Brexit Britain can still be a global player, the opportunity to deepen ties with Rome is too tempting to ignore.
