Our Partner Tommaso Fonti LL.M., shares his views on the new tariff measures announced by President Trump, in light of a policy shift that could seriously affect Italian exports to the United States.
Tariffs of up to 49%, even against long-standing trade partners such as the European Union. No gradual implementation, no clear logic. Now more than ever, businesses must respond with clarity and speed—before these new trade barriers result in real losses.
“With the announcement of new tariffs by President Trump—applying rates of up to 49% on products imported from dozens of countries, including traditional trade partners such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Japan—a new era of instability in international trade has officially begun.
Behind the slogan “They do it to us, we do it to them” lies a measure that, rather than protecting American industry, risks triggering a domino effect of retaliation, further fueling tensions and uncertainty in an economic system already strained by wars, inflation, and fragile supply chains.
The words of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are unambiguous: “The consequences will be devastating for millions of people. Medicine will cost more, so will transportation. Inflation will rise. And this will especially hurt the most vulnerable citizens.”
But the issue is not only social. From a customs and trade perspective, this type of unilateral action creates confusion among businesses. There is no graduality, no predictability, and above all, no transparent criteria: the U.S. tariff map appears fragmented and—on the surface—lacking any systemic rationale.
Italian and European companies exporting to the United States must now contend with trade barriers affecting not only industrial goods but also consumer products and strategic sectors. The 25% tariff on all foreign-produced automobiles is a clear example of a wide-reaching measure that will also impact Italian players in the automotive and components industry.
Our firm has already activated a task force to assess the impact on a case-by-case basis and to develop strategic solutions for affected clients—from restructuring logistics flows to assessing the feasibility of using preferential regimes in place with neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, the European Union has declared it is “ready to negotiate, but also to prepare countermeasures.” The risk, however, is entering a vicious cycle where every new barrier prompts a counter-barrier, escalating into a trade war that ultimately harms the very stakeholders that trade is meant to protect: businesses and consumers.
In conclusion, our message to businesses is twofold: prepare proactively—both strategically and operationally—and stay alert to regulatory and geopolitical developments, which, as we are seeing, can radically reshape the global landscape overnight.”
How we can support you
The professionals at Bacciardi Partners are ready to assist you in assessing the impact of the new U.S. tariffs on your export operations and in developing customs and operational strategies to mitigate their effects.
We can help you reorganize logistics flows, explore alternative preferential regimes, and implement practical solutions to ensure continued, secure access to the U.S. market.
Do not hesitate to contact us for personalized advice and insights on how these measures may affect your business.
Tommaso Fonti LL.M., Equity Partner – Head of Tax, Customs Law and Global Mobility