The new package of duties announced by Trump, which provides for a basic imposition of 10% on all imports and increased rates against the so -called “worst transgressors” – including Italy and the rest of Europe, affected by a 20% dice – immediately raised fears among analysts and professionals for the automotive sector.
In particular the Italian car sectoraccording to what emerges from a dossier published by the Chamber of Deputies on April 7, 2025, risks being one of the more penalized.
A vulnerable and strategic sector for Italy
Let’s start with the facts: from 3 April duties of 25% have entered into force light cars and trucks of European manufacture, while i spare partsfundamental for the assistance and maintenance chain, will be affected by May 3.
To all this are added rates already applied to European steel and aluminum, also to 25%, further aggravating the picture for the manufacturing industry linked to mobility.
The duties affect the EU but, addressing our gaze to the Italian market, as confirmed by Confindustria Study Centerall the manufacturing sectors of our country enjoy a commercial surplus with the United States – that is they export more than they import. The sector of motor vehicles And of the other means of transport is among the most exposed:
30.7% of Italian sector exports are directed towards the US market.
This figure represents a significant criticality: the higher the share of exports directed to the USA, the greater the impact of the duties on the turnover of the Italian companies involved. On the contrary, the imports of US vehicles in Italy represent just 3.5%, an imbalance that risks translating into a dry blow for our companies, without a true effect of compensation on internal consumers.
In practical terms, the damage could manifest itself on More fronts:
- reduction of orders;
- minor profit margins;
- review of industrial strategies;
- production cuts;
- consequences on employment.
Italian companies in the car sector – many of which are suppliers of high quality components For American brands – they could find themselves forced to move part of the production abroad or to re -enter contracts on less advantageous conditions.
The global risk for the car sector
It is not the first time that the United States of Trump adopt protectionist measures, but this new round appears more aggressive and systemic and risks hitting Made in Italy heavily. Define the European Union between worst transgressors It is a political message before even economic: Brussels is accused of Sleal commercial practiceshowever, without entering into the merits of the dynamics of competition, environmental standards or production subsidies.
But returning to the car sector, already under pressure due to the ecological transition, digitization and increase in the price of electricity, the risk is to lose ground not only in terms of global competitivenessbut also compared to other international actors such as China, who has been able to build an electric mobility ecosystem strongly supported by the state.
In fact, even if China will suffer even heavier duties (34%), thanks to the vastness of its internal market and the growing presence in Africa and Asia, could cushion the best impact of Europe.
The European action plan against duties
A few days after the American announcement, the European Commission presented its industrial action plan for the European automotive sector, reported in dossier n. 91 of the Chamber of Deputies.
The industrial action plan of the Commission, among other things, to:
- strengthen the resilience of the European automotive chain;
- promote investments in green technologies;
- develop intra-EU strategic partnerships to counter dependence on external suppliers.
In this scenario, the words of the president of the Ursula von der Leyen commission resonate as a mixture of firmness and pragmatism, since he promised
strong and proportionate countermeasures.
However, there is no lack of willingness to negotiate to avoid a commercial war without exclusion of shots. Yet, the impact of American unilateral choices is already evident, not only on an economic level, but also on the geopolitical one: it is a clear protectionist torsion which risks compromising the already fragile balances of world trade.
Italy should therefore be promoted, in the European part, of a strong and cohesive response. Extraordinary funds are needed to support affected exporters, a strengthening of commercial diplomacy tools and an acceleration towards industrial autonomy in key sectors such as automotive, electronic components and critical materials.
At the same time, it appears urgent reopen dialogue channels with Washingtonperhaps also involving the US producers present in Europe – many of which are against the duties – in a joint pressure on the American administration. Giorgia Meloni also hopes for this with the “zero per zero”, the strategy that provides for a direct comparison with Donald Trump.
The risk that the Italian car sector is overwhelmed by the new wave of duties desired by the Tycoon is not theoretical, but concrete and imminent.
