Italy’s Tajani Says Rome Will Stop Responding to Trump’s Provocative Remarks Ahead of NATO Summit

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing Reuters, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy has decided it will no longer respond to provocative remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump to avoid further inflaming disputes among NATO allies. NATO leaders are set to hold a summit in Ankara on Tuesday, July 7, and Wednesday, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Trump both attending; tensions between the two have recently risen after Trump told Italian television that Meloni “begged” him for a photo at the G7 summit, which Meloni said was fabricated. Ahead of the NATO meeting, Trump also posted a photo on Truth Social showing Meloni looking up at him, captioned “Looks like a restraining order is needed,” in a jab at her. In an interview with Italy’s La Stampa on Tuesday, Tajani said Trump “speaks only for himself” and reiterated that Italy “is and will continue to be a friend of the United States,” calling the U.S. a strategic partner for Italy and Europe.