The new 30% tariff imposed by the United States on a wide array of European products, including many icons of Italian agri-food excellence, has been branded by Italia del Gusto as a punitive and shortsighted measure, poised to undermine a virtuous system built on trust, quality, and shared value. Compounded by the dollar’s devaluation, this decision threatens to restrict access to the US market and trigger steep price hikes for American consumers, with ripple effects felt across both sides of the Atlantic. The Made in Italy agri-food sector is no mere niche; it’s a sophisticated industrial ecosystem rooted in traceability, innovation, and robust international relationships, generating jobs and global prestige. “This isn’t just about Italian exports,” stresses the Italia del Gusto Consortium. “It’s about an economic balance that delivers tangible value to the United States, too, through logistics, distribution, hospitality, and culinary culture. Disrupting this chain would harm both economies.”
The measure’s impact could be amplified by the current macroeconomic climate, with the dollar’s depreciation and rising costs potentially driving price increases of over 40% for key products. This risks dampening demand, sparking a dangerous race to the bottom in distribution channels, and encouraging the spread of low-quality imitations, to the detriment of the entire system. Italia del Gusto issues a clarion call to the European Union to respond with unity, pushing for decisive diplomatic action and a clear industrial strategy. “We need a strong, authoritative voice to defend strategic supply chains with pragmatism and expertise,” the Consortium asserts, underscoring that the strength of Made in Italy lies in its transparency, reliability, and innovation—values that must be safeguarded. “Protecting Made in Italy today means defending a real economy of businesses, jobs, and industrial vision. It’s not just about exports; it’s about credibility, coherence, and economic integrity.”
With unwavering resolve, the Consortium vows to continue championing Italian quality on global markets, supporting the enterprises that uphold its prestige daily. In a moment demanding robust policies, not empty slogans, Made in Italy deserves to be defended with tools worthy of its legacy: excellence, culture, and trust.
