7 April 2025 — Giorgia Meloni’s government will meet business associations on Tuesday to discuss potential responses to the economic fallout from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Business and Made in Italy Minister Adolfo Urso confirmed the meetings in a statement to ANSA on Monday. “We will have talks tomorrow with the associations representing the business system to agree with them what national and, even more importantly, what EU measures can be taken to protect the production system and European families,” Urso said.
Talks are scheduled to begin at 3pm and will involve representatives from the industrial sector, small and medium-sized artisan enterprises, and the agricultural sector. “From what they have already told us, they are all asking us to avoid a trade war,” Urso added.
The Italian wine industry is particularly concerned. The Federvini association warned on Monday that Italy’s wine sector risks losing up to two billion euros in revenue from the US market. This is due to the dual impact of Trump’s tariffs and shifting consumption trends among younger Americans.
“We need a strategic vision for Italian wine, the time for isolated reactions is over,” said Federvini President Micaela Pallini during the Vinitaly wine fair in Verona. “With the tariffs and the radical consumption transformation of young people, two billion euros are at risk on a market, the United States, that is difficult to replace.
“We need direction and a far-reaching vision,” she added. “Defending wine today equals safeguarding the image of Italy around the world.”
Despite concerns, Vinitaly organisers reported a strong turnout from US buyers, confirming that interest in Italian wine remains high, even in the face of trade tensions.
