Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Monday, February 23, 2026, urged closer transatlantic collaboration with the United States and other partners during a G7 trade ministers' meeting in Brussels, seeking to mitigate fallout from the latest escalation in US tariff policy.
The appeal came just days after US President Donald Trump announced an increase in a previously proposed 10% global tariff to 15%, pressing ahead with his protectionist agenda despite a Supreme Court ruling last week that invalidated earlier broad tariff hikes imposed under emergency powers. Speaking directly on the US social media platform X, Tajani confirmed he had raised the tariff issue face-to-face with American counterparts during the Brussels discussions.
"We received assurances from the American side of their intention not to create instability for our companies," Tajani wrote, underscoring the value of sustained dialogue. "It is important to continue working constructively with Washington for a swift transition to the new system."
Tajani emphasized the mutual interests binding the Atlantic partners, stating: "We share a common goal on both sides of the Atlantic: predictability for our businesses, strengthening of the economic partnership, and renewed commitment to growth." His comments reflect Europe's broader effort to preserve economic stability amid renewed US trade assertiveness, even as the Supreme Court's February 20 decision forced the Trump administration to shift reliance toward alternative statutory authorities such as Sections 232, 301, and 201.
The Italian minister also voiced strong support for US-led initiatives on critical minerals, a sector increasingly viewed as strategically vital for clean energy transitions, defense technologies, and supply-chain resilience. "Italy supports the US initiative to create a political and strategic alliance in this crucial sector," Tajani declared, signaling Rome's willingness to align with Washington on securing access to rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, and other materials dominated by global competitors, particularly China.
Looking beyond the immediate transatlantic dynamic, Tajani outlined Italy's ambition to broaden cooperation geographically. "Together with Germany, we will continue to promote stronger transatlantic cooperation, extending it to Africa within the framework of the Piano Mattei, as well as to other partner countries in Asia and Latin America," he said.
The Mattei Plan—named after Enrico Mattei, the visionary founder of Italy's state-owned energy giant ENI—represents a cornerstone of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's foreign policy. First announced in late 2022 and formally unveiled during Italy's G7 presidency in early 2024, the initiative seeks to forge non-exploitative partnerships with African nations focused on energy security, infrastructure development, agriculture, education, and health. It positions Italy as a bridge between Europe, Africa, and global partners, aiming to counterbalance Chinese and Russian influence on the continent while addressing migration root causes through sustainable economic cooperation.
Tajani's remarks at the G7 meeting highlight Italy's dual-track approach: de-escalating immediate trade frictions with the United States while advancing a long-term vision of diversified, resilient economic alliances. The assurances he cited from US officials suggest a degree of pragmatism on both sides, even as Trump's tariff rhetoric continues to unsettle markets and trading partners.
The G7 trade discussions in Brussels occur against a backdrop of heightened uncertainty. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had previously indicated the administration would pivot to congressionally authorized tools following the Supreme Court's invalidation of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)-based duties. Trump's subsequent pledge to raise the global tariff rate to 15%—coupled with threats of even steeper levies on countries perceived to "play games"—has prompted European capitals to intensify calls for predictability and dialogue.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde described the Supreme Court ruling as a "significant check" on executive overreach, warning that prolonged trade volatility could dampen global growth. For Italy, which maintains a substantial trade surplus with the United States and relies heavily on exports in machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods, tariff escalation poses direct risks to competitiveness and employment.
Tajani's emphasis on critical minerals cooperation aligns with broader G7 priorities. The group has increasingly focused on "friend-shoring" supply chains for strategic materials, reducing dependence on adversarial suppliers. Italy's support for US-led efforts in this domain complements its own investments in African mining and energy projects under the Mattei Plan, creating potential synergies for diversified sourcing.
The meeting also underscored the importance of extending transatlantic alignment to emerging regions. By linking US partnership with the Mattei framework and outreach to Asia and Latin America, Tajani positioned Italy as a proactive mediator in a multipolar economic landscape.
As the G7 process continues and bilateral consultations intensify, Tajani's message of constructive engagement and shared objectives offers a pathway to de-escalation. Whether the assurances he received translate into concrete tariff relief—or whether the administration presses forward with higher duties under new legal grounds—will shape transatlantic economic relations in the months ahead. For now, Italy's foreign minister has staked out a position of pragmatic optimism, balancing defense of European interests with commitment to deeper strategic collaboration across the Atlantic and beyond.
