Meloni Declines Role as "Psychologist" to Merz Ahead of Trump Meeting

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, playfully declined the role of an "international leader psychologist." This remark came in response to a question about whether she would offer advice to Merz ahead of his upcoming meeting with Donald Trump. The exchange took place during their first bilateral meeting in Rome.

Meloni, with a smile, stated, "The German Chancellor is an experienced politician. And I am not an international leader psychologist." She further added, "Each of us must strive for the interests of our own country. Trump is a president who defends the interests of the United States." When asked what advice could help Merz win Trump's favor, Merz looked at Meloni and jokingly said, "Please advise." Meloni responded, "He respects leaders who defend their country's interests."

This interaction underscored the challenges faced by world leaders in navigating U.S. trade policies and long-standing diplomatic principles. Merz praised Italy as a crucial "strategic partner" in EU foreign policy and acknowledged Meloni's role in Europe's Ukraine peace initiative. He dismissed reports that his coalition partner, the left-wing Social Democratic Party, had called for Italy's exclusion from peace talks.

German officials are working to arrange a meeting between Merz and Trump at the White House as early as late May. Merz plans to use this visit to advocate for an end to the EU-U.S. trade dispute. Meloni's relationship with Trump has been complex, balancing domestic and international pressures. Despite privately finding Trump's remarks surprising, she has avoided criticizing him, sometimes aligning with a minority stance among European leaders.

Meloni's relationship with Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, was strained, particularly over immigration issues. However, their positions began to converge towards the end of Scholz's term. Both leaders announced plans for a high-level intergovernmental summit next year to deepen cooperation in defense, energy, and other sectors. Meloni described their meeting, held before the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, as marking a "new phase" in the relationship between Rome and Berlin.