China to US: ‘Cancel duties’. Meloni Thursday at Trump’s to relaunch dialogue

Beijing asks Washington to remove tariff barriers. Waiting for meeting at the White House between the premier and the US president. Tajani: ‘Cold blood is needed, no panic’

New appeal from Beijing to the US for a change of course in trade relations. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce, quoted by the Xinhua news agency, called on Washington to ‘completely’ cancel the practice of reciprocal tariffs and return to a path of ‘fair dialogue and mutual respect’.

The recent US decision to exempt certain electronic products – including the iPhone – was welcomed as ‘a small step towards rectifying’ policies deemed unfair by Beijing, the South China Morning Post also reported.

Meloni at Trump’s: summit at the White House on Thursday

Giorgia Meloni’s eagerly awaited mission to the United States, scheduled for Thursday 17 April, fits into this context. The premier will meet President Donald Trump in Washington for a bilateral summit that will focus on the issue of tariffs and transatlantic relations.

The following day, Friday 18, it will instead be J.D. Vance, US vice-president, who will visit Palazzo Chigi to continue the dialogue between Rome and Washington.

Tajani: ‘No panic, we need negotiation and strategic vision’

From Osaka, connected to the Salone del Mobile in Milan, Antonio Tajani called for calm. ‘Panic is the economy’s worst enemy,’ said the foreign minister, stressing that the Italian government has ‘clear ideas on what to do’.

According to Tajani, the suspension of duties for 90 days by the US and the postponement of European countermeasures represent a first distensive signal.

Towards a possible Euro-American free trade agreement

Tajani also mentioned the mission to Washington of EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, who is currently engaged in negotiations with the US administration. The aim, he said, could be to create a large Euro-American market with zero tariffs, reviving a free trade hypothesis already evoked in the past.

‘No illusions about Beijing, the US remains our ally’

Finally, Tajani clarified the Italian position towards China: ‘It is nonsense to think of spite the Americans by talking to Beijing. The US is our strategic ally’.

Italy has left the Silk Road, but will continue to have economic relations with Beijing, as confirmed by the business forum planned in Venice. But without compromise: ‘Balance and vision are needed,’ the minister concluded.

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