Four out of ten Italians fear repercussions of duties on their economic condition. Alarm in the South

World stock markets plummeted, Europe's piazza Affari the black jersey, dragged down to over minus 8%, with Trump pulling straight ahead on duties and raising the bar. Four out of ten Italians fear the repercussions of duties on their economic condition. With the greatest concerns coming from the South. This was confirmed by a Swg survey, anticipated by Il Sole 24 Ore, carried out from 2 to 4 April, on a nationally representative sample of 800 adults (Cawi method). Carried out precisely in the days when Trump made threats to launch aggressive duties a reality.

The survey shows that 41% of the sample say they are very concerned about the impact on their personal economic situation. This percentage rises to 51% for those aged 35-44 and soars to 61% for residents in the South. 29% replied that they were aware of the possible effects, but that they were not 'very worried'. 19% said they do not believe there will be an effect on their economic situation, while 21% answered 'I don't know'.

In the war on tariffs, 41% of the sample said they were 'very' worried about the difficulties of Italian companies exporting to America and their workers, 44% were 'fairly' worried. Adding 'very' and 'fairly' brings the figure up to 81%.

30% of the sample were "very" worried about the fall in GDP and the decline in the Italian economy, while 51% were "fairly" worried. The fall in employment due to production shifts to the United States worries 25% of the sample "very", while 43% of the sample is "fairly" worried. Very worried about rising prices of US products 23% of the sample, fairly worried 41%.

Trump's decisions are seen as an own goal for Americans. 59% believe that everyone will lose, including Americans, 10% consider Trump's behaviour unfair, but say that Americans will benefit from it. 5% believe that from the Americans' point of view it is understandable that Trump imposed the duties, because they 'make trade fairer'.