Rubio Argues for Increased US-Italy Cooperation as Biden Hosts Meloni

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met US President Joe Biden in the White House to discuss both nations’ shared priorities.

Prime Minister Meloni currently chairs the Group of Seven (G7), an informal association consisting of the wealthiest democratic nations. 

US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) anticipated Meloni’s visit by outlining why he thinks the US should strive for increased cooperation with Italy. 

Senator Rubio claimed Meloni’s government “deserves our nation’s firm support because she has been a strong ally in the face of common threats.”

Rubio underscored the shared challenges Italy and the US face regarding illegal immigration, China, Democratic decline, defending freedom, and protecting Western values. 

“In short, (Meloni) has been a model of pro-freedom governance to Europe and the world,” continued Rubio. 

Meloni, who is Italy’s first female Prime Minister, assumed her role in October 2022 after leading the ‘Brothers of Italy’ political party through a successful election. 

During Meloni’s meeting with President Biden, she explained her priority within the G7 is to “reaffirm the rules-based international order.”

Meloni also stated her government supports the US’s mediation efforts in the Israel-Hamas war insofar as such efforts aim towards avoiding violence escalations. 

Biden took advantage of his meeting with Meloni to announce the US will commence making aid deliveries to Gaza via air. 

While Biden incorrectly noted airdrops of additional food and supplies would be shipped to “Ukraine”, White House staffers later corrected the transcript to read “Gaza”. 

Biden also touted the possibility of opening a marine corridor to deliver US aid both by air and sea. 

“In the coming days, we’re going to join with our friends in Jordan and others in providing airdrops of — of additional food and supplies into Ukraine [Gaza] and seek to continue to open up other avenues into Ukraine [Gaza], including the possibility of a marine corridor to deliver large amounts of humanitarian assistance,” said Biden.