Italy’s economy minister has called for “de-escalation” with President Donald Trump’s administration, after the US leader announced 20% tariffs on the European Union this week.
The minister called for a “pragmatic and rational approach” from the European Union, which previously said it was preparing countermeasures against the US, one of the bloc’s largest trading partners.
Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sought to become a bridge between Europe and the White House, but not taking sides has proven a tricky balancing act when Trump has taken an overtly hostile position against the continent.
Meloni also urged calm amid warnings of economic catastrophe.
“We will not stop exporting to the United States, so it is a problem we must solve, but beware of the alarmism I am seeing in these hours,” she said yesterday.
Earlier this week, the head of the European Union’s executive arm, Ursula von der Leyen, said “Europe is ready to respond” to Trump’s colossal universal tariffs, which she described as a “major blow to the world economy.”
