Northern industrialists to Salvini: "But what bilateral agreements? We need the EU on tariffs." Meloni's words.

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The Northern League continues to suggest bypassing the EU in tariff negotiations with the US, so it's up to the Northern industrialists to put things back into perspective. "Because it's clear that European goods are interconnected. And a solution can only be European," says Andrea Amalberto, president of Confindustria Piemonte. " There may be divisions over the type of reaction, but the strategy must be European, not Italian ," analyzes Giovanni Mondini , president of Confindustria Liguria. Lorenzo Delladio , president of the Trentino industrialists, agrees: "Anyone who wants to negotiate for themselves isn't serious." A message reiterated yesterday by Prime Minister Meloni: "The objective remains to strengthen the West as a whole, working in constant contact with the EU. All other scenarios would be completely senseless."

In recent weeks, and especially in the last few days, several Lega representatives have spoken out , from Deputy Secretary Claudio Durigon to Senator Claudio Borghi, as well as Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, calling for bypassing European negotiations because "it's better to go it alone" with bilateral agreements. "I'm not an expert, but it's clear that negotiating directly with the US alone makes us weaker," Andrea Amalberto, president of Confindustria Piemonte, told Il Foglio. Amalberto is one of the regional branches most at risk of being hit by the imposition of 30 percent tariffs in the United States starting August 1st. "In recent years, Europe has completely misguided its industrial policy, but it's not like you gain much advantage by distancing yourself from the EU and playing Eurosceptic. The example of the United Kingdom is there to prove it." One thing is the timely revisions of "internal self-tariffs" like the Green Deal policies, on which much of Italian industry is demanding a change of pace. Another is the daily outcry that puts Brussels in the crosshairs of political attacks.

Giovanni Mondini, president of Confindustria Liguria, sees it this way. " We're already particularly fed up because too much time has passed, given that tariffs were being discussed even before Trump was elected ," he explains to Il Foglio. "It's quite clear that there can be differing views on the type of reaction, on the subsequent strategy for adopting counter-tariffs. But this doesn't mean we can fight to have countries address the issue individually. I absolutely support a European approach." For his region, a 30 percent tariff would certainly have a significant impact. " We export primarily cruise ships, yachts, and civilian and military frigates. The impact on the American market would certainly be an unknown factor that currently prevents us from planning and making investments with the necessary peace of mind. For this reason, I believe we must reach a timely solution, working closely with the European institutions ."

Lorenzo Delladio, president of Confindustria Trentino and head of a sports shoe company with one of its main markets in the United States, also shares this view. "I believe 30 percent tariffs are absurd. They're a provocation, only to then sit down at the negotiating table from a position of strength. That said, what do we do? Are we going to negotiate for individual products like wine or cheese? Our strength lies in European negotiations, not on a national level." The fact remains, as the head of the Trentino industrialists further explains to Il Foglio, "these 30 percent tariffs are also an opportunity to open up new markets. Starting with treaties like Mercosur, which would allow us to further consolidate certain markets that some already operate in. In this sense, we entrepreneurs must strive to seize the opportunities that arise. And perhaps, in this way, try to compensate for the decline in demand in the US."

Amalberto also speaks of "attractive markets, along with Africa, when we talk about Mercosur." And Mondini also opens up to the possibility: " The only reason I don't think it's being done now is perhaps because they don't want to influence the outcome of the negotiations with Washington ." Ultimately, Northern industrialists are also making a cross-party appeal: "Common sense and a harmonization of positions are needed, perhaps made easier in Europe, among the various European parliamentarians, than in our own Parliament," Mondini reasons. "The trade war scenarios we're experiencing are a genuine international emergency. We can't afford to campaign on tariffs between the majority and the opposition. That's why everyone must pull in the same direction," concludes Delladio.

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