Meloni at Palazzo Chigi, task force with ministers. Tajani: towards European response less harsh than US duties. Salvini: too many EU limits.
The PM cancelled today's engagements to focus on action following Donald Trump's announcements
3' min read
Key points
3' min read
The summit convened at Palazzo Chigi by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to take stock of the actions to be taken in the wake of the introduction of new duties by the United States ended after about an hour and a half. The meeting was attended not only by deputies Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani (connected from Brussels), but also by ministers Giancarlo Giorgetti (Economy), Francesco Lollobrigida (Agriculture), Adolfo Urso (Enterprises and Made in Italy) and Tommaso Foti (European Affairs and Pnrr).
Salvini-Lega point on duties: too many EU limits
In the morning, Lega Lega sources had let it be known that Salvini had spoken with his party's economic group, reiterating that if the United States has decided to protect its companies, it is necessary for Italy to continue to resolutely defend its national interest even in light of Europe's too many limitations.
Tajani and Šefčovič: on US duties firm but dialogue needed
In Brussels, meanwhile, Foreign Minister and Vice-Premier Antonio Tajani met with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to discuss the US administration's recent trade decisions. During the meeting, "the two agreed on the need to maintain a firm but dialogue-based approach aimed at avoiding further escalation on the trade front". This was stated in a note
Tajani: US duties opposed to 5% defence claim
Not only that. Tajani added that the imposition of tariffs by the US is 'contrary' to the call for defence spending to rise to 5 per cent of GDP. He said this on the sidelines of the NATO ministerial, emphasising that Article 2 of the Washington Treaty - the founding act of the Alliance - provides for 'economic cooperation between the countries that are part of it'. And 'trade war is certainly not part of what Article 2 says, we must avoid it'. And he added: "I believe that we will go in the direction of having a less harsh response than the American choice, therefore to give a message against the escalation of duties, a message against the trade war: it seems to me that Commissioner Sefcovic's positions are reasonable and go in the direction of protecting Italian and European companies".
Urso: need to understand fallout on businesses and households before reacting
"Before reacting, it is necessary to fully understand the repercussions on consumers, families and businesses," said Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, speaking at the Question Time in the Senate in response to a question on US duties and support for businesses. Urso added: "We are asking Europe to act immediately and without pretence, where it must do so in order to restore competitiveness to companies and protect the internal market, safeguard European jobs. We call for the immediate suspension of the Green Deal rules that have led to the collapse of the auto industry, which is also the one most affected by the new US duties'.
