'Cars, cancel fines 2025 or the industry disappears'

If the new Commission immediately changes the regulatory path taken in the previous mandate by directing funding not on one but on all traction possibilities, we can still hope to save the automotive industry. If this does not happen, we will be invaded by cheaper Chinese cars that will find buyers. Result: the total disappearance of the automotive industry from our continent.

Don't you think you are exaggerating?

No. The Volkswagen and Stellantis crises speak for themselves. In Lombardy, we are already paying for the negative consequences of the endothermic engine stop in '35. Now, however, there is new air even in the Europarliament. The Popular Party is fighting for technological neutrality, plurality of fuels, and the cancellation of the 15 billion fines in 2025 for manufacturers lagging behind in cutting CO2 emissions. But the game to safeguard European industry does not
stop there.

What are the sorest fronts?

In five years, they have ceded leadership on cars and chemicals to the Chinese. The steel industry risks the same end, suffering both Chinese overcapacity in Brussels' inaction and huge cost overruns compared to the competition due to high energy prices and the various EU subsidies, from the purchase of ETS certificates with the disappearance of free ones from 2030 to the CBAM, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Inescapable disaster?

No. That is why we will mobilise as ARA.

With what concrete remedies?

For the car decarbonised mobility in freedom and plurality. In 2035 the market will decide. In short, we say to the European citizen: move as you like as long as you don't pollute.

And for chemistry and steel?

For the first, massive funding for R&D and high-tech innovation to strengthen what it is already doing. For the second, defiscalisation of energy, a freeze on scrap exports, protection of export capacity. For all, deregulation subject to the carbon-zero target and the principle of rewards instead of sanctions to encourage competitiveness. All under tight deadlines.

Qatar is threatening to block the export of LNG to Europe if it does not change the due diligence directive that also requires non-EU companies with a turnover above 450 million to report on the environmental and social impact of their activities, under penalty of a fine equal to 5% of their worldwide turnover. What do you think?

That large investments are needed to achieve European energy autonomy, including nuclear power, and to enable our companies to compete by producing in Europe. Today, environmental sustainability does not go hand in hand with economic and social sustainability. If we do not change, the import of LNG from Qatar will no longer be needed in a Europe where it is no longer convenient to stay to do business.