US President Donald Trump’s comments about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have sparked a fresh diplomatic incident.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced Friday that he was canceling a planned trip to the United States, where he was scheduled to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in response to Trump’s reported remarks. Tajani described the comments as “offensive,” while Meloni said they were “completely fabricated.”
The dispute marks another setback in relations between the two leaders and adds to tensions between the United States and its European allies, despite signs of improved ties during the G7 summit in France this week.
In an interview with Italy’s La7 TV, Trump claimed that Meloni had “begged” him for a photograph at the summit and that he agreed because he felt sorry for her.
Meloni rejected the remarks in a video posted on X, saying they required “an immediate response.”
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I’m frankly shocked. I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way towards his own allies, and it’s not the first time it’s happened,” she said.
“I can only say that it’s a shame he doesn’t have the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaderships with which he instead appears much more accommodating.
“But you must remember one thing: Italy and I never beg,” Meloni added.
Tajani had been due to travel to the US early next week to attend the Italy-US Business, Investment, Science and Innovation Forum in Miami. According to the State Department, Rubio was expected to meet with his Italian counterpart to advance bilateral cooperation on economic security and critical minerals.
The latest dispute is not the first between Trump and Meloni. Earlier this year, the Italian leader described Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV over his opposition to the war against Iran as “unacceptable.” Trump later criticized Meloni and Italy for what he said was a failure to sufficiently support the United States in the conflict.
Meloni has long been regarded as Trump’s closest ally among Western European leaders, although their relationship has been strained by her refusal to participate in the war with Iran.
Since the start of Trump’s second term, Meloni has maintained close ties with the US president and was the only European leader to attend his second inauguration. The two leaders have shared common positions on issues such as immigration and national sovereignty, and Trump has previously praised Meloni while taking a tougher stance toward other European leaders.
