Italian Foreign Minister Cancels US Trip After Trump-Meloni Row
ROME — A diplomatic dispute has erupted between Italy and the United States after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned trip to Washington following controversial comments by US President Donald Trump about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The dispute began when Trump claimed that Meloni had "begged" him for a photograph during the recent G7 summit. Meloni strongly rejected the allegation, calling the story "completely fabricated" and saying neither she nor Italy "ever beg."
In response, Tajani announced that he was canceling his scheduled visit to the United States, describing Trump's remarks as "serious and offensive" not only to Meloni but to the entire Italian nation. Italian officials from across the political spectrum rallied behind Meloni, signaling rare national unity on the issue.
The controversy marks a significant deterioration in relations between Trump and Meloni, who were once viewed as close ideological allies. Analysts say recent disagreements over Iran, European security, and other international issues had already strained the relationship before the latest public clash.
Italian officials have warned that public attacks on allies risk damaging broader US-European relations at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions