Meloni Stays Silent as Opposition Demands Response to Trump's 15% Tariffs on Italian Exports

Italy's government remains conspicuously silent as its largest opposition bloc pushes Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to publicly defend Italian interests from a new 15% global tariff announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Political Backlash

The criticism has come swift and sharp from across Italy's political spectrum.

PD leader Elly Schlein directly challenged Meloni's absence from the debate, comparing her reluctance to speak out with Trump's own attacks on the American judiciary. "The Court applied the Constitution and reminded everyone that power has limits," Schlein said. "We're curious whether Meloni will make another video to attack judges and defend her friend Trump, or if she'll defend Italian interests for once."

Five Star Movement president Giuseppe Conte echoed the challenge: "Does Meloni have nothing to say about Trump's tariffs being declared illegal and his relaunching of new ones? For once, can we take a strong decision? React? Is anyone home?"

The criticism was not confined to the opposition. Forza Italia Senate leader Maurizio Gasparri, a member of Meloni's own coalition, broke ranks to call Trump's tariff strategy a "grave error" that has "worsened the American situation and created problems worldwide."

Green-Left Alliance (AVS) co-leader Angelo Bonelli drew a direct parallel between Trump and Meloni: "When faced with rulings they dislike, both scream conspiracy instead of respecting judicial independence. I ask the prime minister a simple question: Do you intend to work to recover the billions of euros taken from Italian companies by Trump's tariffs?"

Renew Europe's Davide Faraone mocked the government's radio silence: "Where are all those who explained 'Trump is right, after all'? Disappeared. Vaporized. And from our side? Silence. Embarrassing, deeply embarrassing silence."

Why State-Owned Companies Matter

The furor centers on Leonardo, Fincantieri, Eni, and Enel—all partially owned by the Italian Treasury. The Democratic Party has filed a formal parliamentary inquiry demanding the government verify whether the American subsidiaries of these firms overpaid customs duties under the now-invalidated tariffs and, if so, pursue immediate reimbursement from U.S. authorities.

Opposition lawmakers argue that state-controlled enterprises should have immediate government support and coordination in seeking damages. Five Star's Chiara Appendino accused the administration of "servility" toward Washington: "If the government lacks the strength to demand damages, then the Italian state must immediately compensate firms it has left culpably defenseless. Our businesses suffered legalized theft—they can't also be insulted by anti-Italian subservience."

The Judicial Independence Subtext

The tariff controversy arrives at a politically sensitive moment for Meloni. Italy is approaching a constitutional referendum on judicial reforms, a package the government argues will streamline magistrate accountability but which critics contend threatens the separation of powers.

Opposition parties are leveraging Trump's public criticism of the U.S. Supreme Court—accusing justices of bias and calling the ruling "ridiculous"—to preview what they say would be the government's behavior if voters reject the reforms. The parallel drawn by left-wing leaders is pointed: just as Trump attacks courts that rule against him, they argue, Meloni's judicial reforms would weaken the very independence that protected Italian democracy.

Government Response

As of Saturday, the Italian government urged "caution and responsibility"—the phrase used by Minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso—but offered no detailed response to the opposition's demands. Palazzo Chigi had issued no statement, no guidance, and no indication of next steps, leaving opposition parties and industry lobbyists to fill the vacuum with criticism and growing frustration.

The immediate question for Italian residents is whether the government will coordinate a unified response to protect state-owned companies' interests or leave subsidiaries to navigate the situation alone—and whether Meloni's silence on this issue will become a liability in the upcoming judicial reform referendum, where questions of constitutional checks and balances are already central to the debate.