Donald Trump has signed an executive order that introduces a 15% reduction in cars and components from Europe.
Nothing is still safe, but the choice, marked by internal tensions and diplomatic contrasts with India and European Union, is part of a time when the relationships between the two banks of the Atlantic oscillate between openings and new barriers.
In Brussels the news was welcomed with caution: the institutions have in fact asked Washington to transform the words into fact as soon as possible.
Duties between energy, chip and steel: spaces to treat
The duties of the duties has continued to loom on Europe for months. And the game is not only played on cars. Delicate chapters such as energy, microchips and steel, areas in which Europe and the United States still have to find a point of balance, remain open.
In the meantime, American duties have already started weighing on Italian exports that now look elsewhere. And the effects are tangible for Made in Italy.
The Via dei Dazi Zero remains on the table
Incredibly, the idea of reaching a reset of the rates also emerges from the American front, a possibility that the White House holds open as an instrument of political pressure.
Does the game apply the candle? If the commercial partners offer commitments considered sufficient (such as increasing investments in the US or buying goods such as gas and weapons), Washington could go up to the total cancellation of the duties.
From Cernobbio, Raffaele Fitto spoke of an agreement that, in current conditions, represents for Europe a favorable compromise, while reiterating that the hope remained that of not having rates.
Foreign minister Antonio Tajani insisted on the need not to feed contrasts, remembering that the United States and Europe share common interests and must continue to collaborate.
Google and the tension with Brussels
To further complicate the relations with Brussels there is also the maxi penalty of almost 3 billion euros inflicted on Google from the European Antitrustust.
The measure triggered the reaction of the White House, with Trump who accused Europe on Truth of wanting to systematically affect the American giants, remembering how the company has already paid billionaire figures in the past.
The narrow on the packages and the collapse of the shipments
Beyond the political declarations, changes are already reality on a practical level. From 29 August the concessions for packages under $ 800 directed to the United States are no longer valid.
The measure, designed to curb the boom of giants like Shein and Temu, has been extended to all origins, thus also affecting European operators.
In a few days the volume of shipments collapsed by over 80% and about 90 postal companies interrupted or completely their services. The decision, having arrived without notice, has displaced the logistical sector and aggravated the commercial frictions between the two banks of the Atlantic.
Meanwhile, the universal postal union is studying a technical solution that can reactivate postal flows at least in part.
