US tariffs, Confartigianato: Avoid protectionist escalation

WATCH THE VIDEO REPORT . Friuli Venezia Giulia is on high alert for the 30% tariffs that the United States will impose on European products starting August 1st. These taxes, according to the CGIA of Mestre, could generate economic damage of one billion euros per year for the regional production system. Faced with this scenario, the president of Confartigianato FVG, Graziano Tilatti, has launched a call for dialogue and to avoid harsh European countermeasures. "It is necessary to avoid an escalation of protectionism," explains Tilatti. "This solution would penalize particularly exposed regions like Friuli Venezia Giulia, which in 2024 achieved a turnover of over 2.7 billion with the United States."

Confartigianato is calling on the government to implement measures to support business competitiveness, incentivize innovation, invest in infrastructure and energy, and provide tools to diversify markets.

Overall, Friuli Venezia Giulia has a 63% exposure to the US market. Regarding the region's small and medium-sized businesses, the greatest exposure is to the furniture sector (64.5%) and the food sector, with exports accounting for 19.5%, or a total of €568 million.