ROME — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commented on Thursday regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s recent statements about potential military actions concerning Greenland and the Panama Canal. She expressed skepticism over Trump’s actual intentions, interpreting his remarks as more of a cautionary note directed towards China and other significant global powers rather than a serious declaration of intent to annex those regions.
Meloni, who visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate last weekend and is planning to be present at his inauguration, stated, “I believe we can rule out the possibility that the U.S. will resort to force to claim territories of interest in the coming years.” She further described Trump’s comments as conveying a strong message to major global players, instead of being a tangible threat to the sovereignty of those nations.
According to Meloni, Trump’s warning could be attributed to the growing influence of China in the strategically significant Panama Canal and the resource-abundant Greenland, framing his statements as part of an ongoing conversation among powerful nations. During an annual press conference, Meloni faced numerous questions about her relationships with both Trump and Elon Musk. She indicated that she was still reviewing her schedule but hoped to attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20. “I will gladly participate if possible,” she remarked.
On the previous Tuesday, Trump suggested he might consider military force to secure control over the Panama Canal and Greenland, which he labeled critical for American national security. Some analysts voiced concerns that such rhetoric might embolden adversaries by implying that the U.S. could accept the use of force for territorial reconfigurations amid the context of ongoing international tensions, particularly as Russia continues its military activities in Ukraine and China lays claim to Taiwan.
Meloni has consistently shown her support for Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion, asserting that she believes the Trump administration would not abandon support for Kyiv. During his campaign, Trump claimed he could resolve the conflict in a single day, prompting debates over the future of U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. “The discussions around peace exist today because Russia is currently facing difficulties in Ukraine, primarily due to the bravery of the Ukrainian people and the backing from the West,” Meloni stated. “Donald Trump is well aware of this reality.”
She commended Trump for employing a deterrent diplomatic approach during his previous term, anticipating similar strategies in his renewed leadership. “Honestly, I don’t foresee a withdrawal of support, nor do I interpret this in Trump’s statements,” Meloni added.
Her press conference took place a day after her right-wing government achieved a significant milestone by facilitating the return of an Italian journalist, Cecilia Sala, who had been held in Iran for three weeks. Sala’s case became linked to that of an Iranian engineer who is currently detained in Italy on a U.S. warrant. Mohammad Abedini is sought by the U.S. in connection with a 2024 drone attack in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers.
Speculation had arisen that Iran was using Sala as a bargaining tool to ensure Abedini’s release, leading to discussions about the implications for him now that Sala has returned to Italy. Abedini remains incarcerated in a Milan prison, awaiting a hearing on January 15 concerning his request for house arrest amidst the ongoing extradition process to the United States.
Meloni acknowledged a “diplomatic triangulation” involving Iran and the United States as crucial in achieving Sala’s release, confirming for the first time that U.S. interests played a role in negotiations. She expressed interest in discussing the Abedini matter with President Joe Biden, who had planned to visit Rome but canceled to manage the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires. “These discussions have occurred and will continue,” Meloni affirmed. “It’s a complex endeavor and certainly not concluded yesterday.”
Nonetheless, she highlighted that the future of the Abedini case now rests with the Italian justice ministry.
