The “deepest congratulations” are addressed “to the friendly American people”, but the political message on the occasion of Independence Day is addressed to Donald Trump. And it ends up framing the Italian posture in the transatlantic relationship. Without references to the tensions of recent weeks, but with precise references. «In a historical moment marked by unprecedented challenges for humanity – wrote the President of the Republic -, it is essential that Washington and Rome, also within the framework of the Atlantic Alliance and through participation in the United Nations and other multilateral fora, continue to work together in favor of peace, security and prosperity for their respective peoples and for the entire world».
The Head of State defines the 250th anniversary of Independence as “historic”, a celebration that “belongs to the history of the United States but has over time become the shared heritage of those who recognize themselves in the principles of freedom, democratic representation and universal protection of the rights of every man, also in the search for a dignified and happy life”. «Moving from these founding ideals, the Declaration of Independence of 1776 inspired the political and civil path of the United States, as of many other peoples on every continent – adds Mattarella -. Furthermore, these noble requests have been and remain a point of reference for a vision of relations between states modeled on law, cooperation and support for the international institutions that arose in response to the tragedies of the last century”.
A message reminiscent of the 2017 one also sent to Trump
In recent years Mattarella has written to US presidents several times for the 4th of July. This last message recalls the one from 2017, again addressed to Trump, which referred to collaboration in international bodies and the common values of freedom, democracy and justice. Then the tycoon, in his first term, had just announced his withdrawal from the climate agreement. Today it keeps Europe apprehensive on the eve of a NATO summit preceded by many tensions. Also on the Washington-Rome axis. If Giorgia Meloni did not send messages or tweets about Independence Day, it is because – her parents explain – in these cases the President of the Republic speaks. The last time the prime minister spoke publicly about Trump, about ten days ago, she said she was “struck” by the American president’s unexpected attack after the G7. Now they will meet again. A face-to-face meeting is not currently scheduled, but it cannot yet be ruled out. On Tuesday evening in Ankara they will be at the official dinner, and the following day in the hall where the leaders of the 32 NATO countries meet, and where the confrontation is announced as a sort of moment of truth between the USA and Europe. Italy presents 2.8% of GDP in military spending, of which 0.71 (about 15 billion) on items related to internal security, and the promise to continue the increase trajectory, towards the 3.5% requested by the Alliance by 2035. But the government does not say what the Italian contribution will be in the 70 billion for Ukraine for 2026 and 2027 foreseen by the NATO summit declaration no new military aid packages are even in sight for Kiev, with the focus for now on assistance in the energy sector. Not to mention that reflections on the Purl (the mechanism for purchasing American weapons to be allocated to Kiev) have been suspended for some time and the use of the Safe is excluded at least for this year. The search for a way out of the conflict will then be at the center of the meeting of the Willing convened by Emmanuel Macron in Paris on 13 and 14 July, with the coalition leaders also invited to participate in the military parade. for the French national holiday. Meloni’s presence is not yet confirmed.