Italian prime minister thanks Trump for being country’s ‘true and loyal friend’ through pandemic

“In these difficult times, I can openly say that American President Trump once more has proven to be Italy’s true and loyal friends. I want to thank President Trump, who immediately made us feel his support, his presence, and I am very grateful to American people for this,” Conte said.

Conte’s appreciation for Trump come as relationships between Italy and its partners in the European Union grow strained under the coronavirus pandemic. Some EU politicians and architects have warned that the pandemic poses a “mortal danger” to the world’s largest trading bloc.

On March 10, Italy’s permanent representative to the EU, Maurizio Massari, slammed the EU response to the coronavirus’s spread in Italy when countries were just beginning to react to the pandemic. Italy was identified as a hot spot early and requested aid from its trading partners, but received none in the early stages of its battle.

“Italy has already asked to activate the European Union Mechanism of Civil Protection for the supply of medical equipment for individual protection,” Massari wrote in an opinion piece. “But, unfortunately, not a single EU country responded to the commission’s call. Only China responded bilaterally. Certainly, this is not a good sign of European solidarity.”

Although China did send aid to Italy, the majority of the equipment was found to be defective. Italian officials later complained bitterly of China’s largely worthless promise for aid.

Italy has been one of the hardest-hit nations by the pandemic and has issued an emergency lockdown for the country, banning residents from leaving their homes except for approved outings such as picking up groceries or medications. Hospitals are flooded with COVID-19 virus patients, and doctors have been forced to ration treatment in some regions.

The country has reported about 125,000 cases of the disease, over 15,000 deaths, and nearly 21,000 recovered.