Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently described Tesla CEO Elon Musk as an “added value” and an important interlocutor, highlighting the strong connection between the two. Speaking in Budapest on the sidelines of a European summit, Meloni emphasized Musk’s extraordinary achievements and expressed her belief that he could play a significant role in European affairs.

“I consider Elon Musk an added value at this time, a person who has certainly done some extraordinary, important things, and I think that he should and can be an interlocutor,” Meloni said to reporters.

In recent months, Meloni and Musk have exchanged public praise. The Italian leader even spoke to the entrepreneur after Donald Trump won his second presidential term, underscoring the deepening ties between the two.

Meloni is often regarded as Trump’s “natural interlocutor” in Europe, with Antonio Giordano, Secretary-General of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), noting that Meloni’s leadership style could influence Trump’s views, especially on migration policy. Giordano suggested that Meloni’s approach might inspire Trump to consider remote migrant processing centres as a more efficient alternative to handling migration within national borders.

Giordano also pointed out that Meloni’s leadership is viewed as the most stable in Europe, demonstrated by her solid performance in the EU elections. While Meloni’s initial admiration for Trump was evident in her earlier political career, she has since adopted a more moderate, pro-European stance as prime minister. This shift could potentially be frustrating for some within Trump’s Republican circles.

Despite her more balanced approach, Giordano believes that Meloni’s actions will make her position clear to Trump, particularly regarding migration policy. Giordano speculated that Trump might take cues from Italy’s Mattei Plan, designed to promote growth in border regions, and possibly incorporate Meloni’s ideas into his own political strategy.

Additionally, Meloni’s bond with Elon Musk has further strengthened. Musk has been publicly praised by Trump, who has referred to him as a “genius.” Musk’s clear stance on various issues, paired with his strong rapport with Meloni, has made their partnership a notable point of interest in European and American political circles.