Rome, May 08 – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome amid increasing tensions between Washington and several European allies under President Donald Trump.
According to Italian media reports Rubio also met Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani before the discussions at Palazzo Chigi. Tajani emphasized the importance of strong transatlantic relations saying both Europe and the United States needed close cooperation to preserve Western unity.
Rubio arrived in Rome after visiting the Vatican City where he met Pope Leo XIV.
Relations between the Trump administration and European governments have faced growing strain over issues including the Iran conflict NATO spending tariffs and Washington’s rhetoric toward traditional allies.
Tensions between Trump and the Vatican have also deepened following repeated calls by Pope Leo XIV for peace dialogue and de-escalation in regional conflicts. Observers believe the Rome meetings could help ease diplomatic tensions and strengthen coordination between Washington and its European partners during a sensitive period.