Italy will cease responding to provocative remarks made by former US President Donald Trump, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on July 7, 2026.
Strategic Shift in Diplomatic Relations
This decision comes as NATO leaders gather in Turkey for a crucial summit. Tajani stated, 'We have decided to stop responding to these remarks so as not to fuel disputes among our allies.'
We are and will remain friends of the United States as our strategic partner and that of Europe.
Antonio Tajani, Foreign Minister of Italy
Tensions flared after Trump accused Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of begging for a photo during a G7 summit, a claim she vehemently denied.
In a recent social media post, Trump shared a photo of Meloni with the caption 'RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED,' reigniting the controversy.
- Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump's inauguration in 2025.
- She has since criticized Trump for various remarks, including those directed at Pope Leo.
The current diplomatic strain marks a significant change from Meloni's previous support for Trump. Earlier this year, she publicly challenged him after he criticized the Pope.
In a playful rebuttal to Trump's comments, Italy's Il Foglio newspaper featured a front-page image of Trump alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, using the same caption.