Tajani: no panic on duties, focus on Asia

'The government has clear ideas on what to do'. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has inaugurated the Italian pavilion at Expo 2025, and the topic of US tariffs immediately took centre stage due to the repercussions on exports. According to the vice-premier, Trump's decision, and consequently also that of the EU, to postpone the tariffs 'goes in the right direction'. 'We are trying to make people understand that panic is the worst enemy of the economy and we must not panic,' he continued, 'it seemed that the world was going to fall instead it was decided to postpone everything. The collapse of the stock markets has created damage, there have been too many reactions around the world, sometimes in disarray'. 'This cannot and must not happen, in difficulties one must have broad shoulders and understand what one wants to do,' he concluded.

"While we have to wait and see what happens in the next 90 days" on duties "we cannot waste time: in the meantime we work on all other fronts and the eastern area, from Central Asia to Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, India, the Philippines, Singapore but also Australia and New Zealand, are areas where we can do more because there are so many opportunities," the minister added, opening a forum at the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka - of which Ambassador Matio Vattani is Commissioner General - to present the Italian Export Action Plan promoted by the government. The government is committed to 'reinforcing the Italian presence' in Asia 'both from an industrial and a commercial point of view in an area that we believe is of great interest,' the deputy prime minister said.

"The policy has taken the decision to focus on these new markets to be strengthened and on those who can then operationally help to sustain the presence in this part of the world. Japan is another fundamental reality,' he stressed. Among the government's commitments to support companies abroad, Tajani illustrated the one to 'transform all our embassies, all our consulates into real operational centres to support companies. The days of ambassadors in feluccas are over, now I believe they should be great economic promoters'. In addition, the minister recalled the initiative to reform the Farnesina with a greater focus on growth diplomacy.

The inaugural day saw a discussion between business associations - Confcommercio, Confartigianato, Altagamma - and companies present and active in the area - Danieli, Versalis and Bracco - and the companies and bodies of Sistema-Italia, such as Agenzia Ice, Sace, Simest and Cdp. "Expo is not just a showcase: it is a multiplier of opportunities for Made in Italy, an accelerator of economic and cultural relations in one of the fastest growing areas in the world. Osaka 2025 challenges us to think big, combining roots and innovation, creativity and sustainability," said Barbara Cimmino, Vice-President for Export and Investment Attraction of Confindustria, at the opening of the Italian Pavilion. "Italy is participating with the strength of its Sistema Paese and the vision of its companies, ready to intercept new global demands and attract investments. Confindustria is here to make this Expo a flywheel of growth that will last".

With 28 million visitors expected,' he added, 'coming not only from Japan but also from booming markets such as China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam, the Italian presence fits into a strategic ecosystem for developing new partnerships. "Expo has always been a place where peoples dialogue through technology, creativity and progress. Even today, in a complex global context, the Italian Pavilion is proposed as a symbol of industrial, scientific and cultural cooperation, an expression of the Italian ability to offer sustainable, digital and inclusive solutions".