The President of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini, and the Vice President for Internationalisation and Investment Attraction, Barbara Cimmino, they met the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič.

At centre of confrontationwhich comes at a decisive time for the future of European industry, the new challenges of the european trade policy, the defence of industrial competitiveness and the need for a unified approach to the issues of trade and economic security.

Strengthening Europe's competitiveness

Orsini thanked the Commissioner for his commitment to a more industrially and geopolitically solid Europe, emphasising that

"the rules of global trade are changing rapidly and irreversibly: to avoid the marginalisation of the European Union, industry must be put at the centre of the new strategies. Trade and economic security are today two inseparable dimensions and Europe must address them in a united and pragmatic way'.

Mercosur and international relations

During the meeting, Confindustria reiterated its support for theEuropean Commission's negotiating agenda on trade agreementsparticularly recalling the importance of the agreement with the Mercosurrepresenting a market of over 700 million consumers.

According to Orsini, 'this is a strategic agreement for Italian manufacturing and the European economy as a whole, the benefits of which outweigh the concerns of individual sectors.

Steel and aluminium duties: towards a fairer balance

Ample space was also reserved for the transatlantic relationswith a focus on duties on steel, aluminium and derivativesaffecting more than a thousand products from major European industries.

Orsini pointed out that 'the defence mechanism proposal is positive. Steel is crucial for competitiveness, green transition, defence and security,' and hoped that the new European instrument would foster more balanced bilateral relations.

A common path for European industrial policy

Confindustria will continue to work, together with Medef e BDIto present a joint contribution in view of the trilateral Italy-France-Germany to be held in Rome next week.

'European industry is ready to play its part,' concluded Orsini, 'but we need stable international rules, balanced trade agreements and a European framework that rewards those who invest, innovate and produce in Europe.