'I'm Not Anti-American Today But...': Italy's Meloni Advocates United West Amid Spat With Trump

Last Updated:June 30, 2026, 08:29 IST

Meloni's remarks come amid a public spat with U.S. President Donald Trump after he suggested that the Italian leader "begged for photographs" with him during the G7 Summit

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Monday that she was not “anti-American" but also not “kneeling" as she advocated a united West. Her remarks come amid a public spat with U.S. President Donald Trump after he suggested that the Italian leader “begged for photographs" with him during the recently concluded G7 Summit in France.

“I am not anti-American today; I was not kneeling yesterday. I am a person who believes that the West is stronger united, who believes that Italy is stronger in a united West, and has worked and continues to work for this", Meloni said while speaking on ’10 minuti’ on Rete 4, according to Italian news agency Adnkronos.

The Italian leader suggested the very foundation of strong relationships is the ability to express views frankly. “After that, however, solid relationships are also based on frankness, and I am a frank person," she added.

Meloni Vs Trump

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed in an exclusive phone interview with ‘L’Aria che tira‘ on La7, David Parenzo’s programme that Italian PM Meloni “begged him to take a photo with her". 

“She wanted a photo with me so badly. I might not have done it, but I felt sorry for her", he said, arguing that Meloni had been facing declining support back at home and that her stance on West Asia war had contributed to her political difficulties.

The Italian leader was quick to hit back.

Expressing disappointment over Trump’s words, Meloni said the statements were “completely made-up". “Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up. I am frankly astonished. I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time, moreover," she had said in a post on ‘X’.

Intensifying her attack and rejecting allegations that her political positioning in Italy had to do with her relations with the U.S. President, she added: “President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless. As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you."

Italian FM Cancels U.S. Trip

In the aftermath of the exchange of salvos between Italian PM Meloni and U.S. President Trump, Italy’s Foreign Minister and Deputy PM Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of his planned visit to Miami.

“The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for the next 21 and 22 June," Tajani wrote in a post on ‘X’.

Pertinent to note that the diplomatic friction between Trump and Meloni stems from Rome’s reluctance to support Washington in the war with Iran. President Trump had, earlier, voiced criticism for Italy and the NATO allies for failing to support Washington’s military efforts and actions against Tehran.

The U.S. President’s recent comments about the Italian Prime Minister only deepened the tensions.

News world 'I'm Not Anti-American Today But...': Italy's Meloni Advocates United West Amid Spat With Trump

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