What was once just a threat now has a date: 2 April 2025—the day US tariffs on imported agricultural products are set to come into force. Donald Trump himself confirmed this, addressing local farmers:
"Prepare to produce plenty of agricultural goods for sale in the United States. Tariffs on non-American products will take effect on 2 April."
Agricultural associations call for EU intervention
Trump’s words leave little room for doubt and have plunged European farmers and wine producers into further uncertainty, compounding an already difficult period. In recent days, the US President stated that the tariffs would be set at 25%, a major blow to the Italian agri-food sector, which Coldiretti estimates will suffer losses of €2 billion. According to Uiv, the wine industry alone could lose €1 billion, considering not just the US market but also the ongoing recession in Canada and Europe.
Industry associations are alarmed and continue to urge the European Union to immediately open negotiations. Following last week’s appeal by Unione Italiana Vini, a new plea has come from Cia:
"Brussels must act now. The US President’s social media message is a countdown nearing its final grain of sand. We need a strong diplomatic response and a countermeasure to combat the devastating impact of US tariffs on all EU products. The damage to Italian food exports will be in the billions, and it will not only harm our country," says President Fini, "but also hit American consumers' wallets. Trump’s farmers will never be able to produce Grana Padano, Prosciutto di Parma, Pecorino Romano, Prosecco, Brunello, and all the PDO and PGI products Made in Italy, whose exports to the US are worth over €2.4 billion, a wealth not just for Italy but for Europe as well."
United States - White House - Capitol - photo by wirestock on Freepik
Giorgia Meloni’s response
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remains optimistic:
"A trade war benefits no one, not even the United States," she reiterated last night on Rai Uno’s XXI Secolo. "This can be resolved positively rather than through escalation. It is an issue I have already discussed, at least in part, with Trump."
She concluded by promising to do everything possible to defend Italy as an exporting nation.
Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China take effect
In the meantime, tariffs on Canadian and Mexican products have come into force. In January, the US administration initially backtracked, attempting to negotiate a deal, but time has run out, and no agreement was reached. As a result, Canadian and Mexican goods are now subject to 25% tariffs (with a 10% tariff on Mexican energy resources).
As expected, both nations have announced retaliatory measures. Ottawa has already planned a 15% tariff on US agri-food products and a 25% tariff on other goods.
Relations with Asia are also deteriorating: Trump has announced a doubling of tariffs (20%) on Chinese products, prompting Beijing to prepare a counter-response.
As the world waits to see what will happen in Ukraine, following the high-profile dispute between Trump and Zelensky, and with Europe preparing for rearmament, the trade war is now in full swing.
Dark times lie ahead. Very dark.
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