The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a sharp rebuke to Donald Trump at the G7 summit this afternoon, after the former US president took a swipe at her approval ratings. Sources in the room say Meloni shot back: 'My numbers are my business. Yours are history.
' It was a moment that sent a jolt through the summit. The exchange underscores Trump's lingering grip on Republican politics and the delicate dance European leaders must perform. But here's the angle the lobby is whispering about: the quiet, effective role played by British officials in de-escalating the tension.
UK diplomats, led by the PM's foreign policy adviser, have been working the corridors all week to keep the transatlantic relationship on an even keel. One official described it as 'herding cats with a laser pointer.' The result?
A carefully worded joint statement on shared values that papers over the cracks. Still, the cracks are there. Meloni's rebuke was personal, and Trump does not forget.
The real test will come if he returns to the White House. For now, the UK can claim a small victory. But the game is far from over.
The lobby is already asking: how long can London keep playing the honest broker?
