Reactions

Tariffs, Palazzo Chigi: full support for EU efforts in the negotiations

Pd secretary Schlein: we wait for a strong stance from Meloni

12 July 2025

La presidente del Consiglio Giorgia Meloni (Photo by Roberto Monaldo / LaPresse)

4' min read

Italian reactions to Donald Trump's announcement of 30% tariffs for Europe were immediate.

"No sense in triggering US-EU trade clash"

Palazzo Chigi let it be known that "the Italian government continues to follow with great attention the development of the ongoing negotiations between the European Union and the United States, fully supporting the efforts of the European Commission, which will be further intensified in the coming days". The government trusts 'in the goodwill of all the players in the field to reach a fair agreement that can strengthen the West as a whole, given that - particularly in the current scenario - it would make no sense to trigger a trade clash between the two sides of the Atlantic'.

Lega: on tariffs we pay for a German-driven Europe

'Trade relations between the US and Italy are very good and - as the government rightly points out - the clash is senseless. Trump has no reason to lash out at our country, but once again we pay the price of a German-driven Europe'. Thus a note from the League. According to Matteo Salvini's party, 'instead of threatening retaliation that overseas could only raise eyebrows, Germany's Von der Leyen should zero in on the EU's excessive bureaucracy, which is the real tariffs our companies pay, as the damage of the green deal ideology shows. The follies of Brussels have damaged European businesses and families long before Trump's possible tariffs."

Schlein: we wait for a strong stance from Meloni

"We expect a clear and strong stance, which so far there has not been, from the government and Giorgia Meloni. Because it is not that for their political friendships they can damage the national interest and the European interest. Now we need to strengthen every negotiation attempt that can avoid these 30% tariffs,' says PD secretary Elly Schlein on the sidelines of the PD national conference on politics, in Rome.

Conte: Meloni amateur,sold out national interest

"Trump's little letters have arrived, heralding tariffs at 30%. And to think that Meloni had stood as a 'bridge-builder' for 'zero' tariffs, then said that they were also fine at 10%, with over 100,000 jobs at risk. An absurd, amateurish negotiation'. This was written on X by the leader of the 5 stars, Giuseppe Conte, pointing the finger at Meloni and associates, fine strategists who granted everything and immediately without obtaining practically nothing. Italy and Europe have not made themselves respected, despite the fact that trade between the US and Europe is the most important in the world: we had to show composure, threaten counter-demands, we had to claim better conditions, show our determination to seek alternative markets. In short, we had to show our backs. But with rulers who sell out the national interest to get Washington to say 'Brava Giorgia' and kiss us on the head, we are in a blind alley'.

Fratoianni: Trump gangster, Meloni has a straight back

"Trump is being a gangster: he has just overturned the negotiating table on tariffs with the European Union and announced the introduction of 30% tariffs for European goods to be sold in the US. Tariffs that obviously also affect Italy. The truckloads of billions of euro that the European states are guaranteeing to the American war industry, as we had predicted, have been of no use. This is not enough for Trump'. Says Nicola Fratoianni, of Avs. 'He wants to eliminate all taxes on his multinationals, he wants to flood the European market with food and products that do not respect our standards and quality,' continues the leader of the Italian Left. 'He wants all European companies to produce goods in the USA. In essence, he wants to strangle Europe and make us pay for the gigantic American public debt. This will not lead to anything good'. For Fratoianni, 'we need to hold fast, keep Europe united and respond decisively now, especially on big tech. We are waiting for clear words from the Italian government and for once let's hope they are able to have a straight back. Meloni must remember that she is the prime minister of the Italian government and not a minister of the US government'.

Renzi: Trump declares war on EU and sovereignists clam up

'Tariffs at 30% and so Trump declares (trade) war on Europe. Those who have been daily extolling the importance of the 'special relationship' between Meloni and Trump in recent months have today lost their voices. Suddenly silent. And of course the clamming sovereignists are all silent, all silent those who said that tariffs are an opportunity, all silent those who said "Don't worry, Giorgia will take care of it"'. This is what the leader of Italia viva, Matteo Renzi, writes on X, wishing that 'the entrepreneurs of this country will wake up from the crush they have taken on an incapable and irrelevant government. I hope,' he adds, 'that Europe will wake up, now or never, and come out of its bureaucratic lethargy. And I hope that those who have occupied the TV and media for months with the litany of 'Giorgia Meloni is Trump's best friend' are packing their bags to go on holiday. A few weeks at the beach, sure. And above all a few months away from the newsrooms, from the talk shows, from social media'.

Calenda: this is what crawling at Trump's feet has produced

"The strategy of groveling at the feet of #Trump has not produced results but only damaged our image as Europeans. Unilateral tariffs at 30% are yet another slap in the face. I hope the EU will react. With bullies only firmness and resolve works'. This was written on X by the leader of Azione, Carlo Calenda.