Italian Export Forum: even with tariffs US market important for Italia. Bilateral agreements in favour of companies
What is most worrying is not the tariff measures but the volatility of the regulatory framework. And companies need to be able to predict and plan
Key points
"Today, the main concern for serious, structured and internationalised Made in Italy companies is not just the tariffs themselves, but the volatility and regulatory uncertainty. Uncertainty affects industrial planning, investments, financial management, and the stability of supply chains'. And for 'companies that operate with multi-year planning and strategic vision, predictability is an essential competitive factor'.
The Italy Export Forum, with its president Lorenzo Zurino, warns against one of the most feared risks for companies. Tariffs certainly worry, they can affect exports and sacrifice many Made in Italy products, but if this tariff measure is also accompanied by changes in rules and standards, it is clear that the picture becomes more complicated because a scenario valid for today could change tomorrow and force companies to make ongoing adjustments with the real risk of not making it.
The Italia Export Forum is not a single annual event, but a think tank that organises various thematic and territorial events throughout the year. Its main event is the Stati Generali that took place last year in November in Rome. "Economic relations between Europe and the United States," warns the Forum, "represent a fundamental strategic axis for the global trade balance". And "for Made in Italy, the North American market remains a structural priority".
Words: balance, responsibility and stability
Of course, today we are faced with tariffs and volatility and there are variables that may be difficult to control, but, the Forum argues, the way forward is not to sound the alarm. Or rather, it cannot be just that. Balance, responsibility and stability are in fact the three watchwords that the Forum recalls, thus emphasising Italian resilience and the centrality of bilateral agreements that can make the difference in a phase in which updates on tariffs and legal and political evolutions are affecting the American regulatory framework. "For Made in Italy," says the Forum, "the North American market remains a priority and structural issue". And "recent developments that could lead to a revision or a rebalancing of some tariff measures - continues the Forum - must be interpreted with cautious confidence, avoiding both alarmism and premature enthusiasm".
In spite of tariffs, Italia grew with resilience
For the Forum, 'despite the tariffs, Italia has demonstrated its ability to grow with foresight and resilience. Our companies have continued to invest, innovate and preside over complex markets, strengthening their international presence'. So 'today it is necessary to be realistic'. Indeed, 'as the governor of the Bank of Italy has stressed, it is essential to work with determination on concrete and pragmatic bilateral agreements. Never as now, and never more than now, is it necessary to transform economic diplomacy into operational tools that guarantee stability, market access, and reciprocity'.
