At the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, the Farnesina’s Tariff Task Force has taken action to protect our products in the face of possible misinterpretations of the transatlantic trade agreement. In particular, some US customs authorities reportedly requested a higher tariff than the rate agreed in the EU-US Joint Declaration for the import of Italian products, such as Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken specific steps regarding the US Embassy in Rome and the Directorate-General for Trade of the European Commission in Brussels, and similar instructions have been given to the Embassy of Italy in Washington in order to raise awareness among all parties involved of the importance of a timely implementation of the agreements reached.
“Italy has always supported an open and constructive approach in its dialogue with the United States, and will continue to do so by calling for the proper implementation of the agreement. We will protect our businesses, our workers and our manufacturing excellence with every means at our disposal”, said the Minister, noting that the Task Force is also in constant contact with the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency for all appropriate technical coordination.