The Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, participated in the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) meeting in Brussels, on behalf of Minister Antonio Tajani.
In her speech, the Undersecretary emphasized that, in the context of current global tensions, the EU needs to pursue an ambitious trade policy based on open markets and secure supply chains. Particular attention was paid to negotiations with India, which are considered strategically important, for which Italy hopes to see progress on market access barriers and greater openness in key sectors such as automotive, wine, machinery, and services. Undersecretary Tripodi also addressed the issue of reducing imports from Russia, reaffirming Italy’s unwavering support for Ukraine and the need to limit the resources available to Russia.
The Undersecretary expressed appreciation for the Commission’s report on the implementation of EU trade policy, which demonstrates that the decision to focus on modern agreements, shared rules, and value chain diversification is strengthening European competitiveness, economic security, and sustainability. In the debate on regulatory simplification, Undersecretary Tripodi finally reiterated that reducing burdens on companies and ensuring regulatory certainty must remain pillars of European competitiveness.
