Tajani Chaired Meeting of the Tariff Task Force

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani chaired a meeting of the Foreign Ministry's Tariff Task Force today to promptly update trade associations and Italian companies on the latest trade policy developments.

The meeting focused on the implications of the recent U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs adopted by the Trump Administration. As the Minister noted, the ruling established the illegality of "mutual" tariffs adopted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), leaving in place those with different legal bases (on steel and aluminium, as well as automotive and timber).

The meeting was attended by trade associations, companies, and representatives of the Italian economic system, and provided an opportunity for discussion with the economic operators most active in trade with the United States.

Minister Tajani reaffirmed the Italian government's commitment to ensuring stability and predictability in transatlantic trade relations, based on the agreements made in the Joint Declaration of last August.

The Minister informed participants of his contacts with European Trade Commissioner Sefcovic and of the outcome of his participation in the G7 Trade Ministers' Meeting held shortly beforehand. He drew cautiously optimistic conclusions from the meeting, confirming the Government's continued attention to the needs of the domestic manufacturing sector.

The participants in the Task Force works shared the opportunity and advisabiity of the European Union's market diversification strategy, in line with the National Export Plan, and therefore the need for the prompt entry into force of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement.

In closing the meeting, Minister Tajani assured that the Task Force - now in its eleventh meeting - will meet again as soon as necessary to keep Italian economic operators updated in real time on the evolution of transatlantic trade relations.