Rubio meets Meloni at Palazzo Chigi

In Rome on 8 May 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Italian premier Meloni at Palazzo Chigi, after meeting Tajani. Meloni described the meeting as broad, constructive and 'certainly frank', and spoke of 'frank dialogue between allies' who defend their national interests.

ANSA reported that Rubio told Meloni of the US commitment to close collaboration on shared priorities. Fox News and the New York Times wrote that the visit came as the US sought to ease frictions over the Iran war and amid Trump's clash with the Pope.