Italy’s Minister for European Affairs, Cohesion Policy, and the PNRR, Tommaso Foti, emphasized the necessity of dialogue with the United States during an interview on Agorà. Referencing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s “parachute with the Italian flag” metaphor, Foti asserted Italy’s duty to “remain aligned with Europe as a founding EU member” while pursuing negotiation as the “primary path” with Washington.
He warned against a trade war, noting former President Donald Trump’s past threat of 50% tariffs on the EU by June 1, contrasted with a recent letter proposing 30% tariffs effective August 1. “Negotiation is evidently the right approach,” Foti stated, citing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s success in securing a 10% reduction through talks rather than confrontation. “Threatening trade wars risks disastrous losses or uncontrollable global market chaos,” he added, stressing Italy’s obligation to shield its industries, citizens, and European partners when engaging a “historic EU ally.”
Foti proposed an ideal “zero-for-zero tariffs” framework expanded into a broader free-trade zone including Mexico, Canada, and others. “Realistically,” he conceded, “current negotiations must find equilibrium between two distant positions—ensuring mutual safeguards and allowing both sides to negotiate with heads held high.”