The Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, took part in the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade in Brussels, representing Minister Antonio Tajani. The agenda included trade relations with the United States, economic security within the Single Market, and ongoing EU negotiations for free trade agreements with third countries.
“Italy places the highest priority on the negotiations with the United States and is working closely with the Commission to foster dialogue between Brussels and Washington,” stated Tripodi. She emphasised the need to avoid a trade war and to reach a broader agreement with our main ally, one that also encompasses the industrial sector and could lead to the creation of a transatlantic free trade area.
The security of the Single Market depends, first and foremost, on strong support for multilateralism, which can prevent a return to protectionist policies and diversify supply chains for raw materials and critical technologies. In this context, the Undersecretary highlighted the importance of ensuring that the new EU Regulation on foreign investment screening creates a business-friendly environment while safeguarding Member States’ legitimate prerogatives regarding security and public order.
Tripodi also stressed the need to swiftly conclude ongoing free trade negotiations with India, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, and to rapidly ratify those agreements that have already been finalised. “If we truly want to secure our strategic autonomy, we cannot allow excessive conditionality in negotiations to undermine the EU’s attractiveness as a trade partner,” concluded the Undersecretary.
