The growing discord between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former US President Donald Trump has created a diplomatic vacuum that Whitehall is moving to exploit. Sources in the Foreign Office confirm that London has initiated informal talks with Rome aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation on trade, security, and migration.
The deterioration in Meloni Trump relations became public last week when the Italian leader declined to endorse Trump’s baseless claims of electoral fraud in the 2020 US election. Trump responded with a series of hostile social media posts, accusing Meloni of being a “weak globalist.” The exchange has since escalated, with Meloni’s office issuing a terse statement reaffirming Italy’s commitment to democratic norms and transatlantic alliances.
For the United Kingdom, the rift presents a strategic opportunity. Britain has been seeking to bolster its European partnerships following the 2016 Brexit referendum and the subsequent strains in its relationship with Brussels. Italy, as a founding member of the European Union and a key player in Mediterranean security, is a natural ally. The two countries already coordinate closely on issues such as Libyan stability and counterterrorism. Officials believe that a formal bilateral pact could enhance cooperation in these areas while also opening avenues for trade deals beyond the EU framework.
Downing Street has been careful not to publicly comment on the Meloni Trump quarrel, wary of appearing to exploit a dispute between a G7 partner and a former US leader. However, behind the scenes, diplomatic channels are busy. A senior British diplomat was dispatched to Rome earlier this week for what the Foreign Office described as “routine consultations.” Privately, officials concede that the timing is fortuitous.
The potential benefits for the UK are multifaceted. Economically, Italy represents the fourth largest economy in the eurozone. A bilateral trade deal, though complex given EU constraints, could unlock significant opportunities for British financial services and manufacturing. On security, Italy’s location makes it a crucial partner for controlling migration flows across the central Mediterranean. London has long sought Rome’s assistance in repatriating migrants who cross from North Africa into Italian waters. A closer relationship could also strengthen NATO’s southern flank, particularly in the face of Russian assertiveness in the region.
For Meloni, the UK offers a reliable partner independent of Washington’s orbit. Her government’s hardline stance on migration aligns closely with British policy. Moreover, Italy’s current presidency of the G7 gives Meloni a platform to advance a UK Italy agenda without appearing to break from European consensus.
Yet risks remain. Overplaying the rift could alienate Washington, still the UK’s most important ally. There is also the danger of being perceived as taking sides in a factional dispute within the transatlantic community. Officials insist that the UK is not seeking to isolate the US but rather to build redundancies in its international relationships.
Analysts suggest that the coming weeks will be telling. If the Trump campaign continues to attack Meloni, Rome may accelerate its pivot towards London. If the furore fades, the window of opportunity could close. For now, Whitehall is moving with characteristic subtlety: low key meetings, carefully worded joint statements, and the quiet exchange of intelligence. The goal is not to replace the US Italy alliance but to ensure that British interests are protected however the political winds shift.
