Is the EU Dismantling? Meloni’s Trump Meeting Signals Shift in 2025

Overview

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On April 17, 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. This key event is significant because it highlights growing cracks in the European Union (EU) and changes in U.S.-EU ties. Meloni’s use of the slogan “Make the West Great Again” shows a bold push against the EU’s global approach, raising doubts about Italy’s loyalty to EU unity and pointing to wider issues threatening the union’s strength.

How the U.S. Has Shaped EU Stability

After the Second World War, United States has played a central role in rebuilding and stabilising Europe. This action by the United States was with the intention to stop the propagation of communism and to form a strong European bloc. United States was the initiator and the founder member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation). It has remained the pillar of European solidarity, providing security and economic assistance in times of financial hardship.

This teamwork has helped keep EU countries working together. But under Trump’s current term, this aid to the EU is fading. Policies like 20% tariffs on European goods (paused for 90 days) and talk of leaving NATO show the U.S. pulling back from its usual role. The U.S. voting against a UN statement criticizing Russia’s actions in Ukraine, unlike the EU’s view, shows this growing gap. Without U.S. support, the EU struggles to stay united amid inside and outside pressures.

Meloni’s Trade Talks with Trump

Meloni’s trip to Washington shows her effort to protect Italy’s interests in a shifting geopolitical world. Her talks with Trump focused primarily on a possible U.S.-EU trade deal, with Italy using its $43.9 billion trade surplus with the U.S. in 2024. Meloni’s agreement with Trump on stopping illegal migration and rejecting “woke ideas” makes Italy a bridge between the U.S. and the EU. But her direct talks with the U.S. concern leaders in Brussels, especially France’s, who think Italy might seek special bilateral concessions outside of the EU rules.

Even though Meloni says she supports EU’s unity, her actions point to a practical focus on Italy’s own interests. This makes some think Italy is moving away from EU, a view backed by her strong statement, “I am sure we can make a deal,” during trade talks. Such steps fit a larger pattern where EU countries pursue independent interests while keeping the EU secondary, which is weakening the union’s collective power.

Populist Surge and EU Fragmentation

Meloni’s rise is part of a populist wave sweeping across Europe, which is largely driven by people’s disappointment over EU rules on migration, economic ties, and sovereignty. Leaders such as Meloni resist the EU’s top-down model, seeking increased national, autonomous authority. Her slogan of “Make the West Great Again” frames her Meloni-Trump meeting as a defence of Western values, resonating with similar sentiments throughout Europe. Trump’s endorsement amplifies her influence, creating a cross-Atlantic network disrupting traditional U.S.-EU relations.

The EU is strained primarily by its internal problems; we witness multi-factorial problems of economic disparities, the war in Ukraine, and rising nationalism all pulling the union apart. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, EU solidarity is being strained through this pressure, with bold backlash igniting politics. These cracks are evident when U.S. support, previously a major source of strength, is less in focus as nations like Italy are tending toward stronger ties with other nations outside of the EU.

The U.S. Pullback and the EU’s Growing Challenges

Trump’s policies point to a big drop in U.S. involvement with Europe. Beyond tariffs, his administration’s scepticism toward NATO and reduced financial allocations to the EU is pushing European leaders to face a future with more independence. German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has raised his own concerns about the U.S. sticking to NATO’s defence promise, urging Europe to get ready to defend itself . This change could either make the EU stronger by building self-reliance or speed up EU dismantling as countries take different paths.

The Rhodium Group points out Europe’s risks, saying Trump’s influence—tied to Europe’s need for U.S. security—shapes how the EU handles trade issues. The Atlantic Council stresses the need for a joint U.S.-EU plan but notes the hurdles from new leaders and different goals.

The EU’s Future Outlook

The EU is at a turning point. Less U.S. support, along with internal bold pressures, risks breaking the group’s unity. But some say this could push the EU to grow stronger, as talks about European defense independence suggest. The result depends on the EU’s ability to handle these issues while keeping its 27 countries together.

Meloni’s Meloni Trump meeting shows these tensions in action. Her alignment with Trump, while smart for Italy, highlights the clash between national and EU goals. As the EU searches for its place in a world less centered on the U.S., the chance of EU dismantling grows, with countries possibly favoring their own deals over group goals.

Conclusion

The meeting of Meloni-Trump on April 17, 2025, is not only an important diplomatic meeting, it reveals how fragile the EU is even now. With the U.S. stepping back from its previous role as a uniting force, and directly challenging the legitimacy of the EU, combined with the rise of leaders like Meloni challenge not just the EU’s unity but its validity as a reputable union. Consequently, as the EU faces new economic, political, and security pressures, Meloni’s visit signals a change, pointing to the future where the EU can either adapt, or be dismantled.
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Key Citations:

The Guardian: Can Europe Go It Alone Without the US?
U.S. Chamber: How United is the European Union in 2025?
Rhodium Group: Trump and the Europe-US-China Triangle
Atlantic Council: U.S.-EU Policy Agenda for 2025 and Beyond
NPR: Signs of a Widening U.S.-Europe Split
IISS: European Defence Without the US