Minister Tajani, the alarm about tariffs is growing everywhere: what is the outcome of the meeting of International Trade Ministers in Luxembourg?
«First of all, a position of European unity has emerged. Unity on a clear policy line, e.g. to negotiate with the United States and avoid a trade war. We need to keep our back straight, but we need to negotiate to achieve – in the time it takes – a “zero-for-zero” tariff deal, i.e. zero tariffs from the United States to Europe and zero tariffs from Europe to the United States».
In the meantime, however, Europe is also taking action with a foretaste of counter-tariffs.
«Counter-tariffs will be imposed from 15 April on certain US products: there is a list of products dating back to 2018 and on which we have now worked. Within this framework, we have also managed to protect some Italian interests: I am thinking, for example, of whisky, which has been removed from the list because imposing tariffs on whisky means having US tariffs imposed also on wine as a reaction».
Have European tariffs therefore a tactical function in view of a possible negotiation?
«We need to defend our interests and our companies and we will do so. These tariffs, however, are above all a way to convey a message of ability, unity and responsiveness. They will be lower than those we have been imposed, precisely to make it clear that we do not want a trade war. From 15 May there will be additional tariffs on another list. But there is always time for a negotiation. I had also asked for a postponement, but technically it was very complicated».
This is President Von der Leyen’s policy line. Have the French “hawks” also accepted it?
«Yes, of course. It is the Commission’s policy line. It is also the policy line that has emerged today. But it is also the Italian policy line, because we are always in favour of negotiation. Now there are no hawks: everyone has accepted the position of Europe and EU Commissioner Sefcovic».
In this framework, what role can Italy play also through Prime Minister Meloni’s meeting with President Trump?
«The European Commission manages the negotiation. We can help the Commission in convincing President Trump to make a negotiating choice. We can facilitate the negotiation. After all, the first meeting between Commissioner Sefcovic and the United States was not negative».
What is the goal of this approach?
«Our goal is zero reciprocal tariffs between us and the United States. With the aim of having a large transatlantic market – something about which we had already talked a decade ago – and hence making the West a great opportunity for all those who make business in it. The first step can be the reduction of US tariffs from 20 to 10 per cent. This could be an intermediate goal».
Do you think there is a basis for such a prospect?
«We have to work on it. Musk talked about zero-for-zero tariffs. Musk is obviously not President Trump, but he said so. We therefore need to work hard to make it clear that the problem is not between Europe and the United States. If anything, there is an overcapacity – for example for steel – of countries in the Far East, starting with China. Hence, this is not a problem between the United States and Europe. Everyone wants to negotiate, although we rightly want to defend our interests».
In Italy, however, you are also taking action to set up a plan to support companies at this stage. How?
«We will listen to companies, with the will to support their competitiveness. We will take action both at European and national levels. We need to take action with the EU to eliminate non-tariff barriers. In Italy there is a wide range of possible actions to support companies that we want to evaluate with them. As Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we already have the action plan we have submitted in recent days to strengthen our presence in non-EU markets. In this regard, we are cooperating with Ice, Simest, Sace, and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. We have also made an agreement with Poste Italiane for distribution in the various countries of the world».
The President of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini, is also calling for NRRP funds to be used in this area. Is it possible?
«We need to carefully assess whether this is possible. In today’s meeting we have examined all options. Now we have to submit them to technical scrutiny. We will certainly not leave companies without support».
