Khaberni - Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled his planned visit to the United States amid escalating disputes between the two countries.
This followed statements made by US President Donald Trump regarding Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, after the G7 summit.
Tajani said in a post on the platform «X», reported by the American network «Fox News» that «the dangerous and offensive words directed by President Trump at Prime Minister Georgia Meloni are an insult to all of Italy», announcing the cancellation of his planned visit to the United States on June 21 and 22.
The Italian Foreign Minister was scheduled to participate in the Italy–United States Forum for Business, Investment, Science, and Innovation in Miami, Florida, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was expected to deliver a speech during the forum.
The decision came after Trump made statements to an Italian media outlet saying that Meloni «begged» him to take a picture with her during the G7 summit earlier in the week.
Trump told the Italian channel «La7»: «She really wanted a picture with me. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt pity for her. Maybe she's happy because I spoke to her. I didn't have to talk to her».
Meloni responded to these statements, saying that what the American president stated is «completely fabricated».
She added, according to Reuters: «I am frankly amazed. I don’t know why the President of the United States would behave this way toward his allies; and this isn’t the first time either».
She also said: «I can only say that it is disappointing, because he does not show the same firmness towards the enemies of the West and the United States, who are treated much more leniently by their leaders».
And she added: «There is one thing that should be remembered: neither I nor Italy beg anyone».
No further comments were issued from the office of the Italian Prime Minister, nor did the White House immediately comment on the exchanged statements.
Meloni was considered one of Trump’s closest international allies, having attended his presidential inauguration in 2025 as the only European leader participating in the event.
The report indicated that tensions between the two sides had escalated recently, amid internal political pressures faced by Meloni due to developments in the conflict in the Middle East.
It also mentioned that Meloni chose not to engage in the American calls for a greater role for international leaders in the conflict with Iran, while previously she had declared her opposition to any efforts to reduce the American military presence in Italy.
Italy hosts about 13,000 active-duty U.S. troops distributed across six military bases until the end of 2025, making it one of the most important U.S. military centers in Europe.
