ROME, April 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said he was surprised by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's refusal to support U.S. strikes on Iran, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported on Tuesday.
In a phone interview with the newspaper, Trump said he had not spoken with Meloni for some time, adding that "Meloni does not want to help us with NATO, she does not want to help us get rid of nuclear weapons. She is very different from what I thought."
Trump also criticized immigration policies in Italy and across Europe, saying "immigration is killing Italy and all of Europe."
He further argued that despite facing high energy costs, European countries were unwilling to defend key supply routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, from which they receive energy imports.
Trump said he had asked Italy and other countries to provide military support but expressed dissatisfaction with their responses, adding that "NATO is a paper tiger."
Speaking at an event in Verona on Tuesday, Meloni said allies should have the courage to express disagreements, adding that such openness benefits Europe, the United States and the West as a whole.
"When I agree, I say so clearly, and when I don't, I say that clearly too," she said.
Italian authorities have refused to participate in U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and denied the use of the Sigonella air base for launching operations. Officials said the decision is consistent with existing agreements with Washington and NATO. ■