Tariffs, Lollobrigida: ‘Talks with the US, working to avoid damaging relations’

Rome, 7 July (LaPresse) – ‘17% tariffs? We will not comment on the possibility. We will continue to work to avoid a tariff system that would jeopardise the positive relationship we must maintain with the United States. Above all, it is an important market for our producers and entrepreneurs, whom we want to protect.’ These were the comments made by Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida during a press conference in Rome. ‘As far as I am concerned,’ he added, "as Minister of Agriculture, I had the opportunity in June to hold two important meetings, one in Italy with the Minister of Agriculture and one in Washington at the White House, and together with our entrepreneurs, we are working at a joint table with the United States to increase our trade relations and grow our wealth. And if growing our wealth also means ensuring growth for the United States, we are doubly happy, because the European Union and the United States represent democracy in the world, and undermining the prosperity of our peoples means creating temptations to view autocratic states as more efficient than democratic systems. We simply cannot afford that."