Italy's Foreign Minister Cancels US Trip After Trump's Photo Claim
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani abruptly cancelled a planned visit to the United States this weekend, following controversial remarks by US President Donald Trump about Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The incident has strained relations between the two long-standing allies.
During the recent G7 summit, Trump claimed that Meloni had "begged" him for a photo opportunity. He stated that he felt sorry for her and agreed to the photo, though he was not obliged to do so. Meloni vehemently denied the assertion, posting a video calling Trump's statements "completely fabricated" and declaring, "Italy and I do not beg."
In response, Tajani labelled Trump's claims as "serious and offensive" towards both Meloni and the Italian nation, leading to the cancellation of his trip. The Italian government has expressed dismay over Trump's behaviour, with Meloni remarking, "I don't know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his own allies. After all, this isn't the first time this has happened."
The diplomatic spat underscores growing tensions between the US and its European allies, as Trump's rhetoric continues to provoke backlash. The G7 summit, intended to foster unity among major economies, has instead become a source of discord.
