(Adnkronos) – The foreign ministry has cancelled an Italy-United States business forum in Miami on Monday following foreign minister Antonio Tajani’s decision not to travel to the US to attend the event after “offensive” remarks by president Donald Trump directed at premier Giorgia Meloni which also prompted chief business lobby Confindustria to withdraw from the forum.
“In light of the cancellation of foreign minister Antonio Tajani’s visit to the US, we hereby announce that the business and science forum scheduled for Monday, June 22, in Miami will not take place,” said the statement.
“The foreign ministry will keep businesses and trade associations informed about future initiatives for bilateral economic partnership with the United States,” the statement added.
Tajani had been due to co-chair the Investment, Science and Innovation Forum with US secretary of state Marco Rubio as part of a two-day visit, according to the foreign ministry. Tajani and Rubio were also set to hold talks during Tajani’s visit, the state department announced earlier on Friday.
In an interview with La7 television channel aired earlier on Friday, Trump said Meloni had “begged” him for a photo with her at the G7 summit held in Evian this week and said he “felt sorry” for her.
“She (Meloni) begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a photo with me so badly,” Trump told La7.
“I wouldn’t have taken it with her but I felt sorry for her,” Trump added.
Meloni wrote on Instagram she was “stunned” by Trump’s claims, which she said were fabricated.
