Italy Aims to Be Trump's Best Friend in Europe, Salvini Says
Italy Wants to Be Trump’s Best Friend in Europe, Salvini Says
(Bloomberg) -- Italy is positioning itself as U.S. President Donald Trump’s staunchest ally in continental Europe, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said.
“At a moment when European Union institutions are fragile and changing significantly, Italy wants to be the most solid, effective, coherent and credible partner for the U.S.,” the head of the right-wing League party told reporters in Washington on Monday after talks with Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.
Salvini, Italy’s most popular politician, added that his country and Trump have a “common vision” about Iran, Venezuela, Libya, the Middle East, and especially China.
“I share the U.S. concerns toward both China and Iran,” he said. “We must check the meddling of non-democratic countries in fundamental infrastructure -- technology, telecommunications, energy.”
While Italy signed a memorandum of understanding for China’s Belt and Road in March, triggering criticism from U.S. and EU allies, Salvini said the populist government is considering banning Huawei Technologies Co. from bidding for crucial infrastructure.
“We are verifying whether there are real and evident problems and issues that impose a reflection,” he said.
The deputy premier also met vice President Mike Pence. Speaking to reporters in front of the White House after the meeting, Salvini said returning to a "good relationship" with Russia is a shared goal. He also reiterated his commitment to cut taxes for households and companies in Italy even if the EU doesn’t amend the budget deficit ceiling.
--With assistance from Chiara Vasarri and Molly Kissler.
To contact the reporters on this story: Lorenzo Totaro in Rome at ltotaro@bloomberg.net;Alessandro Speciale in Rome at aspeciale@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Fergal O'Brien at fobrien@bloomberg.net, Dan Liefgreen, Alessandro Speciale
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