Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the existence of a US-EU tariff agreement, stating it averted the potentially “devastating” effects of a ‘no deal’. However, she emphasized it is too early to judge the outcome of the negotiations, citing numerous unknowns and the need to “fight” for the “best possible agreement” – implying the current deal falls short, without explicitly stating so.
Speaking from Ethiopia during a mission focused on food security and the Mattei Plan, the Prime Minister expressed caution just hours after the handshake between Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump. Opposition parties have attacked the deal, claiming Italy has been reduced to a “colony”. Meloni insisted early this morning that “the details” must be closely examined, clarifying she had not yet directly discussed the deal with the European Commission President.
Contacts were expected later in the day to review the dossier, which Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani explained to businesses at the Farnesina remains a legally “non-binding” “framework agreement” leaving room for further refinement. Deputy Prime Minister Tajani, aligning with Meloni’s stance (and a government-wide note including Matteo Salvini), sought to reassure industry, stating support “must absolutely be provided,” potentially through European instruments.
Meloni reiterated that a 15% tariff base could be “sustainable” if it incorporates previous average duties of around 5%, contrasting it with a potential 10% deal that would have added new tariffs. She stressed the need for sector-by-sector analysis, ensuring “particularly sensitive” industries like pharmaceuticals and autos are capped at 15%, and verifying exemptions (with Italy focusing on agri-food, including wine and cheese). Once this national and “European” assessment is complete, Meloni emphasized finding ways to “help sectors particularly affected.”
Furthermore, Meloni asserted Brussels now has no “excuses” and cannot “waste time” in simplifying and dismantling internal EU “tariffs,” starting with bureaucracy, which her coalition believes has hampered European business competitiveness.
Meanwhile, doubts emerged within the League party. Alberto Bagnai noted “even San Marino” negotiated better with the US than von der Leyen and reiterated calls for suspending the EU Stability Pact. Brothers of Italy (FdI) highlighted Meloni’s role in facilitating talks and pointed to contradictions within the Democratic Party (PD), noting its public “indignation” with von der Leyen while supporting her Socialist-led majority.
The entire PD mobilized to contest the deal’s terms. Secretary Elly Schlein demanded immediate clarification on measures to “cushion the damage” from new tariffs. The 5 Star Movement called on Meloni to explain the “surrender to Trump” in Parliament, with leader Giuseppe Conte accusing her of becoming a “bridgehead” for the US President. The Green-Left Alliance (Avs) labelled it a “disaster,” while Carlo Calenda again criticized von der Leyen as unfit to lead Europe. Matteo Renzi questioned the whereabouts of “€25 billion Meloni promised” businesses under a 10% tariff scenario, sarcastically noting reports of her studying Sanremo participation and a Hollywood film instead – claims firmly denied by her party.