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Italy's top diplomat cancels Washington trip as Trump and Meloni spar
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- The Italian government strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Premier Giorgia Meloni "begged" for a photo during the recent G7 summit, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceling a planned U.S. trip in protest.
- Meloni called Trump’s statement "completely fabricated" and expressed astonishment at his behavior toward an ally, emphasizing that "Italy and I do not beg."
- Italian officials across the political spectrum, including President Sergio Mattarella and several ministers, voiced solidarity with Meloni, criticizing Trump’s remarks as damaging to U.S.-Italy relations.
- Relations between Meloni and Trump, once strong with Meloni seen as a key U.S. ally in Europe, have deteriorated over disagreements on issues like the U.S. war in Iran, Ukraine support, and U.S. policies on Israel and tariffs.
- Despite initial praise and a reportedly positive meeting at Mar-a-Lago, differences over Ukraine and other geopolitical matters have frayed the previously "fantastic" friendship between the two leaders.
