France and Italy meet to defend "made in Europe"
"The aim with the Italians is to rally them to the fight to protect European industries, so that we can jointly take it [the issue] to Brussels with them," the offices of the two French ministers told the press.
Among the issues to be raised on Thursday is the question of European steel. The survival of the European steel industry is, according to Paris, threatened by "exacerbated" or even "unfair" competition from China and the US. The European Commission has said it intends to present a legislative proposal in September to reduce steel imports into Europe by up to 50% through various trade measures, which France is defending.
The two countries' ministers are also expected to discuss automotive issues, with the "shared objective" of "strengthening demand for clean vehicles with European content," and to tackle the question of "European preference," for example in public procurement.
"Italy is moving closer and closer to France on a number of positions," said Parisian representatives, referring again to nuclear power, which Italy wants to revive. Italy also advocates, like France, that nuclear power should be treated in a similar way to renewable energies in European legislation.
"The issue of competitiveness and technological neutrality is one of the subjects on which we agree with the Italians," added the French ministers' offices.
Thursday's meeting in Paris will take place as part of the Quirinal Treaty, signed between the two countries in 2021. The treaty includes annual meetings between French and Italian ministers.
Giorgia Meloni and Emmanuel Macron displayed their "shared commitment" and "strong convergences" during a long tête-à-tête in Rome in early June. The meeting was held in part to dispel the tensions of recent weeks, which have been amplified since Donald Trump 's return to the White House.
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