Premier Giorgia Meloni on Sunday warned that there would be no winners in a trade war between Europe and the United States after US President Donald Trump said Washington would impose 30% tariffs on EU goods on August 1 unless an agreement is reached with the bloc before then.

“Once again today, the Government is in close contact with the European Commission and all the parties involved in the tariff negotiations,” Meloni said in a statement.

“A trade war within the West would make us all weaker in the face of the global challenges we are addressing together.

“Europe has the economic and financial strength to uphold its interests and reach a fair and common-sense agreement.

“Italy will do its part, as always”.