©picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Pool | Michael Kappeler
On the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, a minor altercation broke out between Italy and the U.S.
The Italian prime minister found herself in a heated exchange with the U.S. president following Trump’s remarks at the G7 summit in France.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted with utter astonishment to Donald Trump’s claim that she had “begged” him for a photo with him during the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains. Trump made this claim in a phone interview with the Italian broadcaster La7. The U.S. president’s remarks have sparked a public feud between the two leaders.
“Entirely fabricated”
Meloni called Trump’s comments “entirely fabricated” in a brief post on Instagram to her seven million followers. “I am utterly stunned,” she said. “I don’t know why the U.S. president treats allies this way.” She added that this wasn’t the first time. “I can only say that it’s regrettable that he doesn’t show the same resolve against the enemies of the West and the enemies of the U.S.—leaders toward whom he seems to show much more understanding.”
“But there’s one thing he needs to know: neither I nor Italy will ever beg.”
Political impact
The heated exchange shows just how much their previously close ties have deteriorated since Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has already canceled a trip to the U.S. scheduled for early next week.
Trump and Meloni were spotted this week engaged in a close conversation during the G7 summit in Évian, and the Italian leader told reporters that their relationship remained unchanged and that there were “no hard feelings.” But Trump has since given a phone interview to La7 in which he said, “She begged me for a photo with her; I felt bad for her.”
The two leaders were filmed several times in Évian, including while they appeared to be deep in conversation on a small sofa, with Meloni smiling as they spoke. “She’s probably glad I spoke with her,” he said.
Widespread support for Meloni
Italian President Sergio Mattarella called Meloni immediately to offer his support, and several Italian politicians from across the political spectrum came to her defense. “No one had the right to speak so arrogantly to an Italian prime minister,” said Senator Filippo Sensi of the opposition Democratic Party. “Italy didn’t deserve this humiliation,” added Giuseppe Conte of the Five Star Movement.
©picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Pool | Michael Kappeler