European Unity Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks on Italy’s premier have had an unintended consequence. After Trump questioned Italy’s reliability as a wartime ally and claimed Giorgia Meloni had groveled for his attention, European leaders rallied to Meloni’s side. Trump's social media barbs helped thaw Meloni's previously frosty relationship with other European leaders over her hard-right political roots. It is the latest example of how the often divisive American president is helping to draw Europe closer together. European leaders are finding more reasons to coordinate on defense, tariffs and foreign policy. Analysts say that leaves Trump, who has often preferred to negotiate with European countries individually, with less ability to do so.