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Trump’s NATO Frustrations Strain Relations with Italy
(MENAFN) US Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta says President Donald Trump’s criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is not driven by a personal dispute, but by wider frustrations with NATO and European allies.
Fertitta says Trump has “no personal beef” with Meloni, arguing that his remarks toward the Italian leader are connected to broader disagreements over NATO commitments.
Trump and Meloni have generally enjoyed a strong relationship, but tensions have increased as the US president has repeatedly questioned Europe’s contribution to NATO and expressed dissatisfaction with Italy’s limited backing for the war in Iran.
The relationship faces additional strain after Trump criticizes Pope Leo XIV and later claims that Meloni had “begged” him for a photograph during the G7 summit in France.
Fertitta says Trump and Meloni had maintained good relations before disagreements emerged over Rome’s decision not to support the war in Iran. He adds that he warned Italian officials that the dispute was becoming unnecessarily intense.
“What I’ve said is, ‘You don’t want to get in a verbal volleyball match with Donald Trump’ because he’s relentless, and he’s going to win,” he said.
The ambassador also argues that political leaders worldwide need to understand how to manage their interactions with Trump and recognize his confrontational approach.
“If he’s not giving you a hard time, then you’re not worth the time of day,” he added.
Fertitta says Trump has “no personal beef” with Meloni, arguing that his remarks toward the Italian leader are connected to broader disagreements over NATO commitments.
Trump and Meloni have generally enjoyed a strong relationship, but tensions have increased as the US president has repeatedly questioned Europe’s contribution to NATO and expressed dissatisfaction with Italy’s limited backing for the war in Iran.
The relationship faces additional strain after Trump criticizes Pope Leo XIV and later claims that Meloni had “begged” him for a photograph during the G7 summit in France.
Fertitta says Trump and Meloni had maintained good relations before disagreements emerged over Rome’s decision not to support the war in Iran. He adds that he warned Italian officials that the dispute was becoming unnecessarily intense.
“What I’ve said is, ‘You don’t want to get in a verbal volleyball match with Donald Trump’ because he’s relentless, and he’s going to win,” he said.
The ambassador also argues that political leaders worldwide need to understand how to manage their interactions with Trump and recognize his confrontational approach.
“If he’s not giving you a hard time, then you’re not worth the time of day,” he added.
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