Italia–US: from 2 July to the Conservatives’ mission to Washington – how the government is responding following the Meloni–Trump clash
The Prime Minister has invited the ministers to attend the reception on 2 July at the US Embassy to mark Independence Day
Key points
Following the clash between Trump and Meloni – with the US President once again criticising the Prime Minister ‘who behaved very badly towards those who have spent thousands of billions of dollars to protect Italia’ – the government is considering its next steps. The line is: regardless of the differences between the two, the historic ties between Italia and the United States are not in question, neither from a political and diplomatic perspective nor from an economic and commercial one (in 2025, despite the tariffs, trade between the two countries rose to a record $110 billion, although a slight decline in Italian exports is expected this year). Concerns over economic and trade repercussions, and the risk of tariffs on agri-food products, have prompted the government to tone down its stance on the clash between Trump and Meloni.
During the Cabinet meeting held on Monday 22 June, Meloni referred to the recent public spat with Trump and, as confirmed by several attendees at the meeting, reportedly emphasised that it must not affect the government’s relations with the United States. In light of this, the same government sources reported, Meloni invited the ministers to attend the reception on 2 July at the US Embassy to mark Independence Day, not least because – as they pointed out – “Ambassador Fertitta has always been extremely helpful and professional towards us”.
Meloni wants the photo opportunity – featuring the entire cabinet, or nearly so – to drive home an unequivocal message: relations with the United States are not up for debate. The Prime Minister is considering whether to attend and, for now, nothing has been ruled out. The two deputy prime ministers, Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, will be present. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio will also be there.
Following Sergio Mattarella’s phone call expressing solidarity, there have been no further contacts on the matter in recent hours between the Quirinale and Palazzo Chigi, but it has been reported that the President of the Republic hopes the controversy will die down.
“I recognise that there may be moments of disagreement between two leaders,” clarified Tillman J. Fertitta, the US Ambassador to Italia. “What is important is that the relationship between the United States and Italia continues to be a genuine partnership of cooperation between our two countries. America and Italia have long been important to one another, and it has been a real pleasure for me to work alongside the Italian people on a wide range of issues, including economic, political and defence matters.”
