Premier Giorgia Meloni said Wednesday that the EU may need to adopt "appropriate responses" to US President Donald Trump's tariffs while stressing that everything possible should be done to avert a trade war.
"I remain convinced that we must work in every possible way to avert a trade war, which would not benefit anyone, neither the United States nor Europe," Meloni said in relation to tariffs during the award ceremony of the Master of the Art of Italian Cuisine Prize at her office at Palazzo Chigi in Rome.
"This obviously does not rule out having to contemplate appropriate responses to defend our production, if necessary".
The premier said Italy's food-and-drink exports risk being hit hard.
"Italian agri-food products are in demand all over the world, starting of course with Europe," she said.
"It must be remembered that the United States is the second-largest destination market, with exports rising by 17% in 2024.
"The US market is fundamental for us.
"It is clear that the introduction of new tariffs would have serious implications for Italian producers, and I think it would also be an injustice for many Americans, because it would limit the possibility to buy and consume our (products of) excellence to those who can afford to spend more".
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