Global trade

Trump tariffs, Tajani hears Commissioner Sefcovic. European Commission: US to respect agreements

Foreign Minister working for joint European action. Lula to US leader: all countries to be treated equally. Lite between Trump and Republican congressman.

by Rome Editorial Staff

22 February 2026

DONALD TRUMP PRESIDENTE USA PRESENTA I DAZI LA CORTE SUPREMA USA BOCCIA I DAZI DI TRUMP - FOTO ARCHIVIO

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Unity between EU countries
PeRelator: I will propose halting work on EU-US agreement
Lula: all countries to be treated equally
Trump vs. Republican congressman

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Joint action on tariffs. This is the meaning of the "long conversation" between Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. The aim was precisely to "agree on a joint action by Italia with the European Commission and allied countries" on US tariffs. This was announced by Tajani himself on X.

Unity between EU countries

'Unity among Europeans is crucial,' explained Tajani. 'Tomorrow I will attend the G7 international trade meeting and then I will convene the tariffs task force to inform Italian companies about the developments'.

European Commission: US to respect agreements

"The European Commission seeks full clarity on the measures the US intends to take following the recent Supreme Court ruling. The current situation is not conducive to 'fair, balanced and mutually beneficial' transatlantic trade and investment, as agreed by both sides in the EU-US Joint Statement. An agreement is an agreement. As the largest trading partner of the United States, the EU expects the US to honour its commitments'. This was stated in a statement by the EU Commission.

The need for clear rules was also emphasised by the president of the ECB: clarity on trade is crucial, said Christine Lagarde. "It is not clear what will happen next with tariffs, it is crucial that there is clarity on the future relationship between the US and Europe."

Pe rapporteur: I will propose halt to work on EU-US agreement

The climate is tense after the last move by Donald Trump who yesterday imposed additional tariffs on imports in a new reaction to the US Supreme Court decision. At tomorrow's meeting "I will propose to the EP negotiating team to suspend the legislative work until we have a proper legal assessment and clear commitments from the US", announced Bernd Lange, chairman of the International Trade Committee of the Euro Chamber, rapporteur of the EU-US tariffs agreement, on X. "No one can understand it anymore: only open questions and growing uncertainty for the EU and the US's other trading partners. The conditions of the Turnberry Agreement and the legal basis on which it was built have changed,' emphasised Bernd Lange.

Lula: all countries to be treated equally

Also responding to US President Trump is Lula. "I want to tell US President Donald Trump that we don't want a new Cold War," Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said. "We don't want any interference in any other country; we want all countries to be treated equally" in trade matters. Lula explained that he did not want to comment on the Supreme Court's decision but expressed optimism about his planned visit to Washington next month. 'I am convinced,' Lula said, 'that relations between Brazil and the United States will return to normal after our talks.

Trump vs. Republican congressman

Tension also in the US. 'Republican in name only'. This is how, using the English acronym Rino (Republican in name only, ed.) US President Donald Trump called Republican Congressman Jeff Hurd, one of the six members of the US president's party who voted against tariffs on imports from Canada, on Truth, showing the cracks between conservatives as the midterm elections approach. "Based on the lack of support, particularly for the incredibly effective tariffs imposed on foreign countries and companies that have made America richer, stronger, bigger and better than ever, I withdraw my support for RINO Congressman Jeff Hurd, from Colorado's 3rd district, and fully support the highly respected patriot, Hope Scheppelman, to take his seat in Congress," Trump wrote on his social.