On EU's Retaliatory Tariff Policy Against the US
"Cooperation with the United States Must Be Maintained"
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed opposition to the plan for a European peacekeeping force to be stationed in post-war Ukraine, which is being promoted by France and the United Kingdom.
On the 18th (local time), in a speech to the Senate, Prime Minister Meloni stated, "There has been no discussion about deploying Italian troops to Ukraine," and added, "The deployment of a European force proposed by France and the UK is very complex and dangerous, and therefore not effective."
Amid active discussions in Europe, led by France and the UK, about deploying peacekeeping forces in preparation for a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, Prime Minister Meloni expressed concerns about this plan and ruled out Italy's participation.
Meloni also voiced a critical stance on the European Commission's 'REARM Europe Plan,' a European rearmament initiative worth at least 800 billion euros (approximately 1,269 trillion won).
This plan includes measures such as providing loans for various weapons procurement to encourage EU member states to increase defense spending and suspending the application of EU fiscal rules when defense budgets are raised.
Meloni said, "The project name 'European rearmament' could cause misunderstandings among citizens," and added, "While it is true that defense capabilities need to be strengthened, simply purchasing weapons is not the entirety of enhancing defense power."
She emphasized, "Imagining that Europe and the United States can be separated to guarantee continuous security overlooks reality," and stated, "It is true that Europe must play its own role. However, believing that it can do so independently outside the framework of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a naive thought."
Meloni also stressed resolving the EU's retaliatory tariffs against the United States through negotiations, warning that such measures could worsen trade conflicts with the US. She said, "Retaliatory measures on tariffs could instead cause inflation and lead to economic growth slowdown," calling for a cautious approach.
Meloni has built a close relationship with former US President Donald Trump, having been the only European leader to attend his inauguration in January. Based on this, she has acted as a bridge between the US and Europe.
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