During his mission to Brussels for the European Council, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani held a meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, following their previous discussion on 6 March.
The meeting allowed for an update on the European strategy regarding tariffs and duties, especially in light of recent measures taken by the United States. Tajani presented the Italian Government’s perspective, also considering the outcomes of the recent Italian technical mission to Washington and his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the G7 in Canada.
Tajani reiterated the priority of maintaining close coordination at the European level, with a non-escalatory approach to tariff issues, while keeping the dialogue open with the US administration to reach balanced solutions for both parties. Šefčovič informed Tajani of the European Commission’s decision to postpone the implementation of certain European tariffs, which had been adopted in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminium, until mid-April.
Tajani and Šefčovič agreed on the importance of a constructive and pragmatic approach, as well as the need to adopt a strategy for diversifying EU market outlets through expanding free trade agreements with third countries, such as the EU-MERCOSUR agreement. Particular attention was given to the relations with the United Kingdom, especially in light of the first EU-UK Summit scheduled for May.
Minister Tajani also outlined Italy’s strategy to strengthen exports in various emerging markets, which will be presented tomorrow at Villa Madama.
