'Italy would be better off outside the European Union', says Trump

Outside EU rules, Italy could close more advantageous trade agreements

US President Donald Trump has suggested that Italy follow the UK's lead and leave the European Union (EU). In an interview on British radio station LBC hosted by one of Brexit's most vocal supporters, Nigel Farage, Trump said Italy would be much better off outside the EU.

“You [United Kingdom] are blocked by the European Union, like other countries. Italy and other countries would be much better off without the EU. But, if they want to stay, that’s fine”, he commented. “You know that, in Europe, people govern who are very difficult to negotiate with, whereas with me it would be much easier: we would immediately make a big trade agreement,” argued Trump.

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The US president has always been sympathetic to the so-called Brexit – the United Kingdom's exit from the EU, approved in a plebiscite in 2016. For three years, the British government has been trying to negotiate a divorce agreement, without success, which leaves the country in stagnation, in an impasse. Trump claims that, outside EU rules, it would be possible to close more advantageous trade deals. He has already promised on several occasions to sign such an agreement with the British.

The last Italian government, which lasted until August, had as Interior Minister the leader of the nationalist Northern League party, Matteo Salvini, who criticized Europe's mechanisms and advocated a move away from Italy. However, the new coalition at the head of the government, formed by the 5 Star Movement (M5S) and the Democratic Party (PD), adopts a tone of dialogue and cooperation with the bloc.