During the recent United Nations High-Level Week, several European ministers dismissed Kamala Harris’ statement made during the ABC debate on September 10, where she claimed that “world leaders are laughing at Donald Trump.” While Harris’ remark made headlines, European officials made it clear that their relationship with the U.S. transcends political differences.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was among the leaders who refuted Harris’ claim. Speaking at the event, he affirmed Italy’s strong bond with the U.S., regardless of leadership.
“We are two sides of the same coin,” Tajani said, emphasizing that Italy would work with Trump if he becomes president again. “We worked with him before and will do so again if needed,” he added. Tajani also highlighted the historical ties between Italy and the U.S., pointing to the strong transatlantic relationship as a key pillar of their foreign policy.
Tajani further noted that Italy has maintained positive relations with multiple U.S. administrations, including George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. The focus, he said, remains on maintaining strong alliances with America, regardless of the leader in power.
“For us, the transatlantic relations are key,” Tajani emphasized, reflecting a sentiment echoed by many European officials.
Foreign ministers from Lithuania and the Czech Republic chose to remain neutral when asked about Harris’ comment. They emphasized that the U.S. election is a matter for American citizens to decide. However, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky took the opportunity to praise Trump’s stance on defense spending.
“Trump’s message to Europe about spending more on defense was strong and is even more relevant now,” Lipavsky said. He added that the Czech government is increasing its defense budget, aligning with Trump’s previous call for NATO members to spend 2% of their GDP on defense.
While Kamala Harris’ claim stirred discussion, European ministers made it clear that they do not view Trump in the same light. Instead, they reiterated their strong friendship with America and the importance of transatlantic relations, regardless of the U.S. president.
