Italian FM cancels US trip over Trump's "offensive" remarks

ROME -- Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Friday that he had cancelled a planned visit to the United States after US President Donald Trump claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had "begged" for a photograph with him during the recent G7 summit.

Tajani said on social media that Trump's remarks were "serious and offensive" toward Meloni and "offend all of Italy."

Speaking later at an event hosted by Italy's foreign ministry in Rome, Tajani said no one was allowed to offend Italy in such a manner, confirming that he had cancelled his June 21-22 trip to the United States.

Meloni rejected Trump's claim, describing it as fabricated. She said she never begs for anything and that Italy does not beg either.