French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a bilateral summit on the French Riviera. The meeting follows recent public criticism of Meloni by former US President Donald Trump, who belittled her following a G7 encounter. This summit aims to strengthen the relationship between France and Italy, building on recent improvements in their diplomatic ties. Macron will likely seek to capitalize on the perceived distance between Meloni and Trump to foster closer collaboration with Italy within the European Union. The talks are expected to cover a range of bilateral issues and broader European policy concerns. This meeting underscores a strategic effort by Macron to reinforce key alliances as geopolitical dynamics shift.