Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, dismissed the idea that protectionism in the United States was an invention of former President Donald Trump, in an interview with the Financial Times.

Addressing Trump’s tariffs and Europe’s future amid tariff challenges from the US, Meloni said that the U.S. has long pursued protectionist policies, with or without Trump.

She specifically mentioned the Trump administration’s approach on tariffs and the Inflation Reduction Act, calling it part of a larger trend in U.S. policy.

Meloni also made it clear that she doesn’t view Trump as an adversary but as someone who strongly defends his country’s interests. “I defend mine,” she said, referring to her own approach to Italy’s national interests.

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