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Translated by: Blerta Haxhiu
- 8 May 2026 14:01
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Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday that Europe needs the United States, and the United States needs Europe.
The top American diplomat wrapped up a two-day visit to Italy and the Vatican where he held meetings, including with Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, amid a historic period of tensions between Washington and the Vatican over the US-Israel-Iran war.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeTajani reaffirmed strong transatlantic ties and said he hopes "tensions have calmed" with Rubio's visit, AP reports.
He said the two discussed the war in Iran and its spread to Lebanon, as well as the situation in Venezuela and Cuba. The US secretary of state also met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday.
"I believe that things can go in the right direction," Tajani said. "I am convinced that Europe needs America - Italy needs America, and the United States also needs Europe and Italy."
President Donald Trump's tariffs, his complaints about Europe's unwillingness to help the US in the war on Iran and his attacks on Pope Leo XIV have sparked weeks of bitter disagreements over trade and defense cooperation between the two traditionally strong allies.
Tajani reconfirmed on Friday that Italy is ready to send the navy to help demine the Strait of Hormuz once a permanent ceasefire with Iran is reached, as well as to maintain its strong presence in Lebanon through the UN peacekeeping mission.
He said he told Rubio that Italy considers the presence of US troops in Europe important for strengthening NATO, referring to Trump's threats to withdraw US troops.
Trump has criticized both the Pope and the Italian government for opposing the war on Iran. Meloni called the US-Israeli bombing "illegal" and called Trump's statements about the Pope "unacceptable."
Trump responded by accusing Meloni of lacking courage and having a “negative” attitude toward helping the US in the war. Meloni was previously seen as one of Trump’s strongest allies in Europe, but Trump has openly said their relationship has cooled.