Italy’s Foreign Minister Cancels US Trip After Trump Remarks About PM Giorgia Meloni

Italy’s Foreign Minister Cancels US Trip After Trump Remarks About PM Giorgia Meloni Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a planned visit to the United States following controversial remarks by US President Donald Trump about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, triggering a fresh diplomatic rift between Rome and Washington. The decision comes after Trump allegedly made comments suggesting Meloni had “begged” for a photograph with him during the G7 summit, remarks that Italian officials described as offensive and unacceptable. The controversy erupted after Trump claimed in a televised interview that Meloni had insisted on a photo with him at the recent G7 summit and that he agreed “out of pity,” language that sparked immediate backlash in Italy. Meloni strongly rejected the claims, saying they were “completely fabricated,” while insisting that neither she nor Italy “ever beg,” in a sharply worded response that quickly escalated into a political storm. In response to the escalating tensions, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled his scheduled trip to Washington, where he was expected to hold diplomatic talks with US officials. Italian government sources said the decision was taken as a direct protest against what Rome considers disrespectful comments toward the prime minister and Italy as a nation. Other senior Italian officials also condemned Trump’s remarks, adding pressure on the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. The incident adds to a series of recent disagreements between Trump and Meloni, who were previously seen as close ideological allies on issues such as migration and conservative politics. However, tensions have increased in recent months over foreign policy differences, including the war in Ukraine, NATO commitments, and Middle East conflicts. Analysts say the latest dispute marks one of the most serious public breakdowns in US–Italy relations in recent years. Within Italy, the backlash against Trump’s comments has been largely unified, with government and opposition figures expressing support for Meloni and criticising the tone of the US president’s remarks. President Sergio Mattarella also reportedly expressed solidarity with the prime minister amid the diplomatic controversy. With Italy suspending high-level diplomatic engagement in protest, the incident has escalated into a broader political and diplomatic dispute, raising questions about the future direction of US–Italy relations under Trump’s renewed presidency.