Debate contributions by Daniele POLATO

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the agreement with the United States is a starting point, it provides stability and clarity, as requested by categories and entrepreneurs. In the Joint Declaration signed in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12, the European Commission commits to work towards providing changes and flexibility in the implementation of directives and regulations such as deforestation, CBAM, due diligence, in order to reduce the burden on American companies: This is what we have always called for in order to boost European competitiveness. We must, in parallel with the trade agreement with the United States, proceed with the cuts in those regulations that block the European economy and open up new markets, accelerating negotiations that, to date, have not been concluded, such as the GSP. The United Arab Emirates, Mexico, India, the ASEAN countries are partners with whom we must conclude and intensify cooperation. Finally, allow me to thank Commissioner Šefčovič and the directorates concerned for having concluded the best possible agreement given the circumstances, preferring the path of negotiation dialogue to the "trade bazooka".

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the use of unfair trading practices by China is nothing new. May these restrictions come at an extremely delicate time for our economy, not even. We must react in a cohesive way, defending a truly free market, but let us ask ourselves: How did we get here? Pursuing ideological visions, we have dismantled entire productive sectors such as theautomotive. In the name of futuristic promises, which are now proving awkward, we have allowed entire strategic supply chains to become hostages to dependency on third countries for critical raw materials. Pointing a finger at China is not enough: We must take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations to reflect on what mistakes we have made in Europe in recent years. It's time to change course. Our reaction must restart from what has made our economy great: know-how, enterprise and production. We need a new industrial momentum. We need a European mining policy that reduces our vulnerability. We need to put the real economy back at the centre. These are the answers that people expect from this House.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, trade wars are not necessary: In fact, the US administration has suspended tariffs and this is a positive message. It is essential to resume negotiations with the United States, as proposed in Washington by the Italian Premier, Giorgia Meloni: We return to dialogue and offer spaces for a fair and constructive discussion. In order to negotiate, we must not complain about others but look at our internal work by relaunching the European economy. For years we have abandoned and penalized strategic sectors: industry, automotive, agriculture, chemistry and steel. We have lost dynamism and become less competitive on world markets, with self-imposed limits. Without a competitive economy in recovery, we will not have strength on the negotiating tables. Agreements need to be developed with new markets, protecting us from unfair practices from third countries. We need concreteness, pragmatism, listening to our entrepreneurs. Let's go back to raising our heads without ideologies and prejudices. The European Union is moving in this direction.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, good morning Minister, good morning Commissioner Šefčovič, protectionism on the part of the United States is nothing new. Since the 1970s, only Presidents Bush and Clinton have not introduced new tariffs. To the left, always ready to use double standards based on political color, I remember that Biden had confirmed the duties that hit agri-food exports Made in Italy in connection with the Boeing-Airbus dispute. It was Biden, not Trump, who imposed tariffs of up to 41.67% on Italian aluminium producers. It was Biden, not Trump, who imposed 102.5% tariffs on Chinese electric cars. As Europeans, we must stand together and defend our interests and our businesses. We must avoid a trade war with the US and cooperate with the Trump administration from the outset. Our problem is not Washington, which rightly pursues its own interests. What worries us most is Germany's economic crisis, due to the crazy choices of the Greens and Social Democrats, the Commission's proposals that still penalize the wine sector or the almost doubled imports of Russian gas by France, Belgium and Spain. We have reached over 16.5 million tons, in clear contrast to the ambitions of the Green Deal, which provided for the reduction of fossil fuels, and increasing Russia's profits, in the face of sanctions. If we want to be protagonists in the new era of trade relations, we must completely change our approach.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the global online market is constantly developing; It is a great opportunity for our businesses but, in the current phase of weak controls, it poses a serious threat to consumers. The rules in themselves are: The problem is that imports of low-cost, poor-quality and often end-user-damaging products from outside Europe are on the rise. Products that are impacting our internal market from two points of view: First, the safety of all of us and the increasing availability of dubious and potentially dangerous goods; Secondly, the loss of competitiveness of our companies. Let's forget that we can produce at low costs and standards as in the countries from which we import. Tackling the growing challenges posed by digital platforms e-commerce and from imports requires a change with new tools to ensure consumers and a level playing field for our businesses. Otherwise, unfair competition from certain third countries will only have an increasing impact on our economy.