Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs over the Greenland dispute, calling such measures a mistake and urging a diplomatic solution through NATO. Speaking during a visit to Seoul, Meloni said she had personally discussed the issue with Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, emphasizing the need to reduce tensions between Washington and Europe.
Meloni argued that the standoff reflects a breakdown in communication rather than an irreconcilable political divide. She warned that new tariffs would weaken transatlantic unity at a time when cooperation is critical to addressing shared security challenges.
Trump has announced plans to impose a 10 percent tariff on imports from several European countries starting in February, with the rate potentially rising to 25 percent in June if the issue of Greenland remains unresolved. European leaders have rejected the threats as unacceptable, stressing that Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Danish realm.
The Italian prime minister said NATO should play a central role in coordinating deterrence and security measures in the Arctic, a region of growing strategic importance. Analysts note that linking trade pressure to security disputes risks undermining trust among allies.
Meloni’s remarks place Italy among European governments seeking to de-escalate the conflict and preserve transatlantic cohesion. Whether the dispute can be resolved through dialogue rather than economic coercion will shape the future of relations between Europe and the United States.