• Meloni phones Trump from Seoul, says tariffs on eight EU states “a mistake”
• Italian PM warns levies would “damage allied cohesion” over Greenland
• Break-up carries weight: Meloni was Trump’s closest European ally

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (TDR) — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni broke ranks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, labelling his threatened tariffs against eight European nations over Greenland “a mistake” and demanding immediate dialogue to prevent what she called “an avoidable Arctic escalation.”

Speaking to reporters during the final day of a three-day visit to South Korea, Meloni revealed she had phoned Trump hours earlier to deliver the rebuke personally, telling the American leader that economic coercion against allies “damages the very cohesion we need in the Arctic.”

“I told the President directly: tariffs against friends are a mistake. We need talks, not taxes,” Meloni said, adding that she had urged Trump to “step back from the brink” before the EU activates sweeping retaliation.

Phone Call From Seoul

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Meloni’s office said the call lasted 18 minutes and took place at 07:30 Seoul time—prime-time evening in Washington. Topics included:

• the impact of 25% tariffs on Italian prosecco and luxury cars;
• energy security in the Greenland straits;
• NATO’s upcoming Arctic exercise schedule.

According to a read-out, Trump replied that “Europe must respect U.S. security interests” but agreed to “think about alternatives.” No formal commitment was offered.

From Ally to Adversary

The push-back carries unusual weight: Meloni has been Trump’s closest European ally, sharing stages at CPAC and backing most of his trade and migration agendas. Italian exports to the U.S. hit a record €52 billion ($56bn) in 2025, buoyed by Trump-era tariff carve-outs on prosecco and Parmigiano.

Breaking ranks risks that goodwill. Washington sources say the White House is “reviewing” Italy’s quota in the upcoming U.S.–EU steel deal and could shift punitive auto duties from Germany to Italian plants.

“When your best friend says you’re wrong, you listen—or you lose the friend,” said Teresa Coratella, program director at the Italian Institute for International Affairs.

Eight-Country Target List

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Trump’s leaked tariff memo names the same eight states that signed Friday’s joint communiqué backing Denmark: UK, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Products in the cross-hairs include:

• Italian prosecco (current U.S. tariff 0% → 25%)
• French champagne (0% → 25%)
• German luxury cars (2.5% → 25%)
• Dutch semiconductor equipment (0% → 25%)

Italian prosecco exports to the U.S. were worth €1.8 billion in 2025; a 25% levy could wipe out 30% of sales, industry lobby Consorzio Prosecco warns.

Domestic Fallout

Meloni’s break risks a backlash inside her own coalition. League leader Matteo Salvini—who has praised Trump’s tariffs as “economic patriotism”—called for a parliamentary debate, demanding to know if Italy will “abandon friends in Kentucky bourbon.”

Opposition parties seized the moment. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein accused the PM of “foreign-policy pirouettes” after months of “uncritical Trump worship.”

“Now she discovers diplomacy? Convenient,” Schlein tweeted.

Business Backing

p>Confindustria, Italy’s largest employers’ federation, openly backed Meloni’s stance, warning tariffs could cost 50,000 Italian jobs. CEO Carlo Bonomi said:

“We export prosecco, not politics. Dialogue beats duties every time.”

Geopolitical Signal

Meloni’s break is the clearest sign yet that Trump’s Greenland gambit is fracturing his European base. French President Macron praised her “courageous stand,” while EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said Italy’s voice “carries special weight” because of Rome’s traditionally close U.S. ties.

Brussels sources say the Commission is now likely to activate the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument with Italian backing, something Paris had pushed for weeks but lacked consensus.

“When Meloni says ‘no,’ Washington listens,” said Guntram Wolff, director of Bruegel think-tank.

Next Steps

Meloni will host Danish PM Mette Frederiksen in Rome next week to discuss an EU-Italian Arctic investment package, including a joint bid to expand Greenland’s Kangerlussuaq airport. The visit is designed to show that Europe can offer infrastructure without annexation.

Meanwhile, Italian diplomats are drafting language for the EU-US trade dialogue that would:

• suspend auto-tariff threats for 90 days;
• create a joint Arctic infrastructure fund;
• recognise Greenland’s self-determination in any mineral deal.

Whether Washington accepts the olive branch remains uncertain. White House sources say Trump is “not happy” with Meloni’s push-back but is unlikely to punish Rome immediately, fearing a wider European revolt.

“Trump hates being contradicted, but he hates losing more,” said a senior European diplomat.

Market Reaction

Italian prosecco futures fell 2.1% on Monday but rebounded 1.4% after Meloni’s comments, traders citing reduced tariff probability. The euro gained 0.3% against the dollar as investors priced in lower U.S.-EU trade tension.

Calendar of Escalation

• 25 July — EU Trade Ministers meet (Brussels);
• 1 Aug — USTR public-comment window closes;
• 15 Aug — EU counter-tariffs enter force (if no U.S. climb-down);
• 20 Aug — Meloni-Frederiksen Arctic summit (Rome).

Will Meloni’s rebellion force Trump to back down, or has Italy just painted the first target on its own exports?

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