To see to what extent our central media can be formidable propaganda machines, we will have to remember the treatment of the spectacle of President Macron in Davos. The main French media thus presented the head of state, decked out in his flashy sunglasses, as the new General de Gaullethe one who has “ put Trump in trouble ».
Here, we are totally in the story and not in the analysis, because, at the same time, Meloni and Merz qualify his ranting with contrary declarations. If the German Chancellor admits he wants “ avoid customs escalation »on the side of the head of the Italian Council, we mention the risk that “ initiatives of certain European countries have been interpreted as anti-American, which was clearly not the intention1 ».
Strengthening the Berlin-Rome axis
These declarations announce the distance from theGermany and France, while the Italian-German alliance strengthens. Accompanied by his government, on January 23, 2026, Merz went to Villa Doria Pamphilj, in Rome, to sign a “action plan” common. This bilateral meeting follows numerous disagreements between France and Germany (SCAF combat aircraft project, blocking of Russian assets frozen to finance aid to Ukraine, Mercosur, etc.).
“ The French president, weakened at home, is now seen as lacking any room for political maneuver. On the other hand, whether it concerns relations with UNITED STATES or the future of the EU, Giorgia Meloni and Friedrich Merz share, despite differences in approach, common interests »we read in the columns of World. At the time when Macron increases the attacks against the United States, this meeting also served to recall the Atlanticism of the two countries: “ The two leaders, who both claim “historically privileged relations” with the United States, thus refrained on Friday from overly harsh criticism of the Trump administration. Giorgia Meloni even hoped that the American president would receive the Nobel Prize if he succeeded in establishing peace in Ukraine.2 »
Michele Valensise, former Italian ambassador to Berlin, explains that “ Italy and Germany want to bring the crisis back into the framework where it could be resolved: that of the Atlantic Alliance, with a software where the United States remains allies as long as theNATO exists ». Heavily dependent on exports, Europe’s two main industrial nations cannot afford to rob Trump’s country or oppose free trade agreements in progress with the European Union. “ I absolutely do not understand that there are still political forces in Europe which want to prevent (the application of the agreement) »Merz allowed himself to say, as a disguised attack on France.
A marriage of convenience
In the past, Germany would have traditionally turned to France at decisive moments to define the directions of the EU. However, now Merz is joining forces with Meloni in his desire to advance fundamental European priorities in terms of trade, industry and defense.3 and relations with the United States.
“Berlin and Rome want to have more influence together to reorient European policy”
This connection is not surprising. Berlin and Rome want to exert more influence together to reorient European policy, in particular by now favoring effective bilateral axes. A recent document consulted by Reuters tells us about Italy’s desire to counter China’s growing influence on world prices. Written within the framework of this Italian-German intergovernmental summit, the question of Chinese control over rare earths was addressed. “ We cannot accept that China is the only one to decide the price of raw materials »declared Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
As Europe’s main manufacturing powers, Germany and Italy must address this issue, which is so essential, for defense, space and other technologies (semiconductors, renewable energies, batteries, etc.). Another Italian minister then spoke: Adolfo Urso, Minister of Industry. He indicated that “ Rome and Berlin would soon approve an agreement to build a network of low-orbit satellites: a project that would offer a European alternative to the infrastructures proposed by global operators such as Starlink by Elon Musk4 ».
While Macron plays histrionics with his sunglasses, the German and Italian leaders are strategizing to secure access to raw materials in the face of concerns related to China. The spectacle versus reality…
(1) Marius Bocquet, “Greenland: Merz, Meloni, Macron, the duel of strategies against Trump”, The TribuneJanuary 19, 2026.
(2) Elsa Conesa, “Germany moves closer to Italy while disagreements push it away from France”, The WorldJanuary 24, 2026.
(3) The details of this agreement remain to be clarified, but Rheinmetall (Germany) and Leonardo (Italy) already have a joint venture for the construction of tanks and other military vehicles.
(4) Reuters, “Italy and Germany seek to secure access to raw materials amid concerns linked to China”, Zone Bourse, January 23, 2026.
