Italian PM backs Merkel's call for stronger Europe in age of Trump

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni has backed German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s calls for a stronger Europe to deal with the US Trump administration.

Merkel reiterated her call during a press conference Tuesday, following talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modhi in Berlin. She said the "current situation" gives Europe more reasons "to take our destiny into our own hands".

Gentiloni backed Merkel in a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Rome on Tuesday. During a press conference, Gentiloni reaffirmed the importance of the relationship with the US, but said the two countries have fundamentally different views on certain areas, such as climate issue.

Merkel first voiced her concerns about Washington's dependability under Trump on Sunday at an election campaign event. She warned that the times when Europe could fully rely on others were "over to a certain extent".

(CGTN)