Rubio Meloni Meeting Rome Aims to Ease US-Italy Tensions

US vs Itly – (Web Desk) – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Rome for a second straight day of high-level diplomacy, sitting down with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to repair a relationship strained by sharp words from President Donald Trump.

The visit comes at a sensitive moment. Trump recently said he was “shocked” by Meloni, claiming she lacked the courage to support American efforts in the Iran conflict. He also threatened to pull US troops from Italian soil, saying Rome had not been helpful enough.

Meloni pushed back quietly but firmly. She called Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV — the first American pope — unacceptable. She also made clear that any decision to remove US troops from Italy was not hers to make, though she personally disagreed with the idea.

Before meeting Meloni, Rubio sat down with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who presented him with documents tracing his Italian roots. Rubio was visibly moved, calling it a true honour. He even promised to give a speech in Italian on his next visit — a warm, personal moment in an otherwise tense diplomatic week.

Tajani used the meeting to raise several pressing issues, including the blocked Strait of Hormuz, the war in Lebanon, Ukraine, and the situations in Cuba and Venezuela. He also reminded reporters that Italy has consistently honoured its NATO commitments, including in Afghanistan and Iraq.

As of the end of 2025, around 12,662 American troops were stationed in Italy. The US also has 3,814 troops in Spain and 36,436 in Germany, where 5,000 are already set to be withdrawn.

Despite the friction, both sides stressed that the alliance remains strong and necessary — for Europe and for America alike.