Italian PM Meloni says she was ‘astonished’ by Trump claims that she ‘begged’ him for a photo - Europe live

Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani canceled his planned trip to the US in response to the made up' remarks

Another close Meloni ally and undersecretary in her office, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, also heavily criticised Trump's attack on the Italian PM.

It is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude [Trump] is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe," he said in a statement quoted by Reuters.