Meloni tells cabinet: clash with Trump must not hurt US-Italy ties
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged her cabinet not to let the diplomatic row with Donald Trump affect relations with the United States, and invited ministers to attend the July 2 US embassy Independence Day reception, government sources said.
A rift that erupted after President Trump claimed Premier Meloni “begged” him for a photo at the G7 summit has now prompted a coordinated damage-control effort from the Italian government. On Monday, Meloni chaired a cabinet meeting at which she told ministers that the war of words must not be allowed to weaken Italy’s longstanding alliance with Washington. Her instruction came after Trump launched a new salvo on Truth, accusing Italy of failing to join the United States in confronting Iran’s nuclear programme.
Cabinet directive
Government sources told reporters that Meloni stressed the need to insulate the bilateral relationship from the personal and political clash. “The premier made clear that the friction with President Trump must not impact the government’s dealings with the United States,” one source said. The message was intended to calm nerves after a weekend that saw the US president double down on his claim that Meloni had sought a photo-op, and the Italian leader publicly dismissed the story as fabricated.
After spending Trillions of Dollars on NATO, Italy, and its Prime Minister, wouldn’t even think of becoming involved with the Islamic Republic of Iran and their very serious Nuclear Threat. For decades, we defend them but, when tested, they are not there to defend us, and the rest of the World. Not good!
Embassy reception
As a concrete gesture of rapprochement, Meloni invited all ministers to attend the July 2 Independence Day reception at Villa Taverna, the US ambassador’s residence in Rome. Government figures noted that ambassador Tilman Fertitta “has always been extremely helpful and professional with us,” reinforcing the view that the diplomatic channel remains open. Foreign minister Antonio Tajani confirmed he will attend “with head held high,” describing the United States as “the other face of the West, which must stay united.” His deputy, Matteo Salvini, has not yet announced his decision.
I will go, with my head held high, to celebrate 250 years of Independence of a great free and democratic country: the other face of the West, which must stay united. Italy is a friend of the American people.
Opposition demands
Centre-left Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein welcomed the condemnation of Trump’s attacks but insisted the government move beyond rhetoric. Speaking at a party event in Rome, she called on Meloni to pull out of the Board of Peace, a body Schlein says is not advancing peace. Her comments highlight domestic pressure on the premier to turn the clash into a broader policy shift.
We have strongly condemned Trump’s unacceptable attacks. But we ask the government to move from tweets to action, for example by leaving the Board of Peace, where it should never have entered because it is not working for peace.
Economic ties and cancelled events
The political storm has already claimed a bilateral business forum in Miami, which was scrapped after Tajani cancelled a scheduled 21–22 June visit to the United States. The foreign ministry has promised to update companies on future initiatives. Meanwhile, the annual assembly of the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy underscored the view that the $100bn trade relationship can absorb political turbulence. AmCham president Stefano Lucchini said the economic link is “capable of overcoming every difficulty,” and a delegation from Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party is due in Washington next week for meetings with members of Congress and the Trump administration.
