"Open markets serve our need for peace. It is therefore essential to say and reiterate that tariffs create obstacles to trade freedom, distort the market, and penalise high-quality products in favour of lower-quality ones. This is unacceptable for us, but it should be unacceptable for all countries in the world."
From the Agricoltura è event (organised by Minister Francesco Lollobrigida), inaugurated today at Piazza della Repubblica in Rome, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella spoke on the trade war between Europe and the United States, reminding that resorting to protectionist tariffs benefits no one. "The World Trade Organization was created to promote fair global trade with clear rules. The answer is not tariffs but respecting the rules that already exist. Tariffs can cause enormous damage—just think of Italy, which exports 40% of its wine and 33% of its rice," Mattarella emphasised.
Europe’s negotiations
The Head of State then urged confidence in Europe: "We must remain calm without fuelling excessive concern because the EU has the strength to engage in dialogue with both composure and authority to counter such an unjustified decision as these tariffs. Europe is a strong player, so we must negotiate with calmness but also with determination."
All eyes are on the negotiation table, with the EU currently postponing its counter-tariffs on wine and whisky to mid-April, while Trump has announced a degree of flexibility. However, he also declared: "April 2 will be the day of America's liberation."
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