The "reciprocal tariffs" announced by U.S. President Donald Trump last Wednesday have sparked strong discontent among the Italians, who believe the tariff policy is damaging Italy's interests and undermining global trade system.
In 2024, Italian exports to the United States took up 10 percent of its total exports, according to data from Italian National Institute of Statistics released in March. The value of Italian exports to the United States reached 65 billion euros (about 71.31 billion U.S. dollars) last year, according to the Italian industry association Confindustria. Italian media analysis suggests that Italy is one of the European Union countries most severely impacted by the U.S. tariffs.
Local residents in Rome expressed opposition to the U.S. tariff policy, viewing it as detrimental to Italy's relevant industries.
"The U.S. tariffs will bring serious issues to international trade. The Trump administration's policy is erroneous and unacceptable for the international trade system," said Pietro, a resident.
"The U.S. is imposing tariffs on islands inhabited solely by penguins. It is imposing tariffs on everyone in the world," said Elena, another resident.
Meanwhile, fears are also mounting among Italians over the potential repercussions on the global trade landscape.
"Imposing tariffs will undoubtedly have a severe impact on the economy. Levying tariffs amidst ongoing global conflicts brings no benefits to the economy. Provoking a trade war in this moment of 2025 is detrimental to the entire world," said Simone, also a resident.
"I believe the U.S. tariff policy is a complete disruption to the economy and democratic systems. The U.S. tariffs will face repercussions, benefiting only organized crime in the end. With the raised tariffs, goods will flow to the black market through organized crime, reminiscent of the prohibition era in the U.S. in the 1930s. Similar consequences are likely to occur this time," said Donata, another resident.
Italian residents condemn US tariffs for undermining global trade system
Italian residents condemn US tariffs for undermining global trade system
The sixth edition of Shanghai's iconic "5·5 Shopping Festival" kicked off on Thursday, alongside the 2025 International Consumption Season, in a renewed push to boost domestic demand and revitalize consumer spending.
Co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, China Media Group (CMG), and the Shanghai Municipal Government, the event promises a vibrant mix of promotional campaigns, themed events, and immersive retail experiences across the city's commercial districts.
Centering on the theme "Quality Consumption, Demand Creation," the festival targets four key consumer sectors: services, big-ticket purchases, inbound spending, and emerging consumption trends. It also highlights new economic frontiers such as the debut economy, the silver economy, the nighttime economy, and the ticket-based economy—aimed at unlocking consumer potential and enhancing Shanghai's commercial vitality through new product launches, senior-friendly services, dynamic nightlife, and spending on cultural activities.
The festival launch ceremony also included the Fourth International Consumption Center City Forum. In a video address, Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, expressed hopes for deeper cooperation between Shanghai and Dubai as the two metropolises mark the 25th anniversary of their sister-city relationship. He emphasized their shared vision for urban development and prosperity.
Another highlight of the festival was the debut of the "CMG Select: Shanghai Pavilion." Combining celebrity hosts, culture, art, and premium brands, the pavilion leverages CMG's influential media platform to energize consumer activity and support Shanghai's drive to become a world-class consumption center.
The shopping festival will run through the end of June, with over 1,000 companies and thousands of brands set to launch more than 1,000 special events.
The 2025 International Consumption Season is a flagship event under the "Shop in China" campaign. Jointly launched by the Ministry of Commerce and five other government departments, the initiative will mobilize regions across the country to spotlight premium international and domestic goods. It will feature product debuts, first launches, and consumer-friendly measures to help both domestic shoppers and inbound tourists access high-quality global merchandise and enjoy top-tier services.
Shanghai launches major shopping festival to boost consumer spending
