Trump‑EU Deal Spreads Concern in Tuscany as Region Faces Heavy Toll

The recent agreement between the United States and the European Union, signed on July 26 by former President Donald Trump and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has triggered strong reactions across Italy—particularly in Tuscany.

The deal imposes a 15% tariff on a range of European exports, including wine, in exchange for the suspension of previously threatened 30% to 200% tariffs. While presented as a compromise, the move is viewed by many Italian producers as a major blow to their competitiveness, especially in the American market.

The Tuscan wine sector, a pillar of Italy’s agri-food exports, is sounding the alarm. The Brunello di Montalcino Consortium, whose exports to the U.S. account for 30% of total sales (over 3 million bottles per year), warned that the tariffs will have “severe consequences,” making it almost impossible to redirect unsold wine to alternative markets in the short term. Consortium President Giacomo Bartolommei emphasized the urgency of opening new trade channels, especially through negotiations with Mercosur countries, and confirmed an increased focus on Asian markets.

Similarly, AVITO, the association representing Tuscany’s PDO and PGI wines, stressed that the U.S. accounts for 37% of Tuscan wine exports—worth over €400 million annually. President Andrea Rossi called for extraordinary government and EU support, citing a series of recent shocks to the sector: the pandemic, energy costs, rising interest rates, and crop disease. AVITO urged greater flexibility in promotional tools such as OCM funds and a strategic reorientation toward new markets.

The wine industry is not alone in its worries. Confindustria Toscana President Maurizio Bigazzi pointed out that Tuscany accounts for 16% of all Italian exports to the U.S., ranking third after Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. He warned of a potential economic and social fallout, particularly in areas already affected by high energy costs and weak infrastructure.

Confagricoltura Firenze also raised concerns. President Francesco Colpizzi acknowledged that while 15% is better than the previously floated 30%, the new tariff still threatens the region’s competitiveness, especially against non-EU producers like Argentina and Chile. He called for national and EU-level structural support, including financial tools to help exporting businesses adapt.

Coldiretti Toscana added that while the 15% tariff is a “lesser evil” than the 30% scenario, EU compensation is needed for affected sectors. The organization stressed the importance of defending Italy’s geographical indications and fighting the growing problem of “Italian sounding” products in the U.S., which cause estimated losses of €2 billion annually to Italy’s agri-food sector.

Political reactions were divided. Dario Nardella, former mayor of Florence and now MEP with the Democratic Party, denounced the agreement as a “submission to American interests,” urging the Italian government not to ratify the deal in the European Council. On the other hand, Patrizio La Pietra, Undersecretary for Agriculture, acknowledged the dissatisfaction but called for a pragmatic approach, warning of worse consequences if the agreement were rejected outright.

While the full impact of the new tariffs will unfold in the coming months, it is already clear that Tuscany’s economy—rooted in high-quality exports—is facing another serious challenge. Stakeholders across the board are calling for decisive institutional support to ensure the region can adapt and continue to thrive in an increasingly volatile global trade environment.

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