The Codacons expresses strong concern about the possible repercussions of a commercial war between United States And European Unionpromising a series of increases that would break down on Italian consumers in the event that the EU decides to introduce counter-dati in response to the protectionist measures adopted by the USA. Let’s see in detail the consequences.
EU counter-dazio: the impact on consumers
If the European Union decides to introduce counter-to-date in response to the protectionist measures adopted by the United States there would therefore be heavy consequences for all Italian consumers. To launch the alarm is the Codacons, who expressed great concern for a possible commercial war between the USA and the EU.
“Leaving aside the industry sector, any duties imposed by Europe on imports from the USA would cause increases in retail prices for consumer goods”, warns Codacons.
Italy entertains important commercial relations with the United States, importing a wide range of products every year for a value of approximately 25.2 billion euros. Codacons analyzed the data relating to these imports in detail, highlighting how several sectors are involved in this commercial exchange.
Among the assets imported from the US, the agricultural, food and drinks stand out, with a value that touches 1.4 billion euros per year. A value that approaches that on imports of computers and electronic products (1.41 billion euros). The imports of pharmaceutical products and preparations are also particularly relevant, with an expense that reaches the 4.3 billion euros.
Among the other sectors involved in imports from the USA, we find:
- electrical and home equipment (about half a billion euros);
- paper products (almost 350 million euros);
- motor vehicles and trailers (406 million euros);
- Leather and clothing items (270 million euros).
Prometeia’s analysis on the consequences of the duties
In recent weeks, the company of consultancy and economic research Promote calculated the effect of Donald Trump’s duties on the Italian economy, which could cause damage between 2 and 9 billion euros. In particular, two distinct scenarios were hypothesized.
The hypothesis of a 10% increase in duties already on products subject to customs rateswith the exclusion of those currently exempt, outlines a scenario that could have a significant impact on some key sectors of Italian exports. Particularly vulnerable to this measure would be the sector of fashionwhich, together with theagri -foodrepresents one of the pillars of Italian exports.
The second hypothesized scenario provides for a generalized increase in customs rates of 10% on all imported products from the United States. Unlike the first perspective, in which the impact was limited to specific sectors already burdened by duties, this measure would have more widespread and profound repercussions on the entire national production fabric. In particular, the mechanical sectorintegrated into the global chains of value, would be put to the test by the increase in the costs of raw materials and components imported from the United States.
In 2023, exports to the USA reached the 66.4 billion euros. An increase in the duties of 10%, as expected in the first scenario, would entail an aggravation of approx 4.12 billion dollars. A figure that could go up to 7.20 billion dollars in case of a generalized increase in rates.
