As US tariffs threaten key Italian industries, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spearheads efforts to support affected businesses through targeted economic measures. She is set to engage directly with President Trump in Washington, underscoring Italy’s commitment to a united transatlantic strategy
Driving the news. The Italian government is currently studying ways to support businesses and supply chains impacted by US tariffs as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni prepares to fly to Washington next week to discuss the issue directly with President Donald Trump.
- At a high-level meeting on Monday, Meloni met with Deputy Prime Ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, along with Ministers Giancarlo Giorgetti (Economy), Tommaso Foti (European Affairs), Francesco Lollobrigida (Agriculture), Adolfo Urso (Business), and Under Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office Alfredo Mantovano.
- According to a press release, the ministers presented Meloni with various proposals aimed at sustaining productive sectors and boosting the competitiveness of Italian companies.
Economic support initiatives. One key suggestion, put forward by Emanuele Orsini, president of the Confindustria association, is to tap into unused funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and cohesion funds to incentivise companies adversely affected by tariffs.
- The discussions also reinforced a shared view that a “trade war” would benefit neither the European Union nor the United States.
- They stressed the need for a determined, pragmatic approach, as any alarmism could cause more significant damage than the tariffs themselves.
- The ministers also emphasised the importance of leveraging instruments to support enterprises, including revising “ideologically driven” rules such as those in the Green Deal and simplifying the regulatory framework.
- Recent proposals from Meloni included suspending the EU’s green regulations on the automotive sector and considering “derogations” to the Stability Pact.
Transatlantic and European unity. Meloni is scheduled to travel to Washington on 16 April to meet President Trump, where she will confront the issue of tariffs head-on.
- Speaking on Monday, European Affairs Minister Tommaso Foti confirmed that Meloni is heading to Washington “fully aware that tariff policy is an EU competence” but also determined to engage directly with Trump, who, in her view, is mistaken in using tariffs as a tool.
- During a Commerce Ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani stressed that a united European stance is essential when engaging with the United States to avoid a trade war.
- European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic also urged those with good relations with the Trump administration to facilitate dialogue between the EU and the US.
