Meloni Pushes for Dialogue as U.S. Tariff Hikes Threaten Billions in EU Trade
Rome, Italy – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called on the European Union to do everything possible to avoid a trade war with the United States, warning that escalating tariffs could threaten billions in transatlantic trade.
Speaking during a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in Rome, Meloni stressed the urgency of continued diplomacy between Brussels and Washington. “We must avoid a trade war at all costs,” she said, emphasizing that Italy and Austria support efforts to reach a mutually beneficial agreement before the looming August 1 deadline for potential U.S. tariff increases.
The U.S. is reportedly considering significant tariff hikes on a range of European goods in response to long-standing disputes over trade imbalances and subsidies, with key sectors like steel, agriculture, and automotive exports at risk.
“We are in close contact with the European Commission,” Meloni stated. “The goal is to preserve strong economic ties with our transatlantic partners without compromising European industry.”
Chancellor Stocker echoed the sentiment, underscoring the importance of EU unity in ongoing negotiations.
The EU and U.S. have faced renewed tensions over trade policy in recent months, raising concerns among business leaders and economists about potential disruptions to the global supply chain.
