Key Points
Meloni convenes emergency meeting to study US tariff consequences
Trump announces 20-25% tariffs on EU imports
Italian leaders condemn trade policy as counterproductive
Government preparing sectoral impact assessment
"We are conducting and must continue to do a study on the real impact of this American tariff decision, sector by sector. Next week, we will meet with representatives of the production categories to compare their estimates and find the best solutions," Meloni said in an interview with Tg1.
On Wednesday night, US President Donald Trump announced a near-universal tariff regime on imports to the US, shaking global markets and prompting a sharp downturn in international stock exchanges. Most European Union exports to the US will now face a 20-per cent tariff, with certain sectors -- including vehicles, auto parts, steel, and aluminum -- hit with even steeper 25-per cent duties, Xinhua news agency reported.
"It took less than an hour in the White House's Rose Garden ... to turn a hundred years of international free trade into history," said the Italian Institute for the Study of International Politics (ISPI), a prominent think tank.
Meloni spent the day in consultations with key ministers, including Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti, Minister for Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso, and Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani joined via video link.
Though initially urging caution, Meloni has since taken a more assertive stance. "The introduction of tariffs by the United States against the European Union is a measure I consider a mistake that I do not think benefits any of the parties involved," she said, while still supporting continued negotiations with US officials.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella echoed her concerns, calling the US move "a profound error" and urging "a compact, calm, and determined response."
Comments:
This is really concerning for our small businesses. The auto parts sector in Emilia-Romagna is going to get hit hard. Hope the government has a solid plan beyond just meetings.
Meloni is handling this better than I expected. At least she's being firm but diplomatic. The US tariffs seem so extreme though! 😬
Respectful criticism here - I wish our government had seen this coming. The writing was on the wall when Trump started his campaign with "America First" rhetoric. We should have been diversifying our export markets years ago.
My cousin works at a steel plant near Turin. They're already talking about reduced shifts. This is going to hurt real families. The EU needs to stand together on this one!
Maybe this will finally push us to invest more in African and Asian markets. The US has been an unreliable partner lately. 🇮🇹🇪🇺
The agricultural tariffs worry me most. Our olive oil and wine producers can't absorb 20% price increases in the US market. Hope they're getting special attention in these government meetings.
