EU right to prevent trade war as tariff talks still ongoing: Italian foreign minister

ISTANBUL

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday that the EU acted wisely by suspending retaliatory trade measures, stressing that negotiations over tariffs with the US remain at a preliminary stage and will take time to conclude.

“The European Union did well to prevent a trade war by suspending countermeasures. Now we must see how the negotiations will proceed," Tajani said, speaking on the sidelines of a government event in Ancona.

“We are still at a general framework with a 15% tariff,” he said, referring to proposed duties, “but exemptions will have to be evaluated, and talks must continue sector by sector," Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Tajani acknowledged that the current phase is still exploratory and that “final assessments will only be made at the end of a process that could take weeks, if not months.”

He emphasized that Italy is actively working alongside Brussels and Washington to ensure that its high-quality exports are protected.

“We are strongly committed, as Italians, to ensuring our quality products are safeguarded,” he said.

He also pointed out that the EU’s existing 15% tariffs may provide a competitive edge over countries that face higher duties.

“This could represent an opportunity to enter markets that have so far been inaccessible,” he noted.

Highlighting the importance of government intervention, Tajani said Italy must act decisively to support its business sector.

“We must be determined and capable of reacting, with strong action from the government to protect our entrepreneurial system,” he said.