Il 2 aprile scorso ha segnato una svolta decisiva per tutte le aziende che intendono esportare negli USA: il Presidente Trump ha ufficialmente annunciato l’imposizione di dazi del 10% su tutti i paesi, con penalizzazioni ancora più severe per 60 nazioni considerate “worst offenders”, including China and the European Union. The news immediately generated great tension in global markets, confronting Italian companies with new and complex business challenges.
Trump thus fulfilled one of his major campaign promises, raising U.S. duties to the highest levels on record dalla fine dell’Ottocento. L’amministrazione americana ha giustificato questi provvedimenti come una correzione necessaria per rispondere alle presunte barriere commerciali sleali imposte da altri paesi, basandosi sulla convinzione che il deficit commerciale rappresenti un’ingiustizia da correggere.
Dopo intensi negoziati diplomatici e diversi round di contrattazioni internazionali, l’entrata in vigore dei dazi è stata posticipata al 7 agosto, una settimana oltre il calendario inizialmente previsto. Questa dilazione ha permesso ulteriori confronti tra le parti, ma non ha eliminato le preoccupazioni degli operatori economici.
Now that the decisions have been made and the timelines set, the crucial questions remain: which countries will suffer the most? Che impatto concreto avrà l’Italia? And what effect will this have on the world's economic fabric?
European companies are currently considering how todeguare its business strategies toward the United States, considerando l’evoluzione del quadro tariffario e le opportunità che ne derivano.
L’approccio dell’amministrazione Trump si caratterizza per la sua flessibilità: alcuni partner commerciali hanno già definito accordi specifici, altri operano sotto tariffe standard, mentre per diverse nazioni i dialoghi commerciali proseguono attivamente. La maggior parte dei paesi è attualmente soggetta al dazio base del 10%.
Questa diversificazione delle politiche commerciali sta creando un panorama in evoluzione per gli operatori del settore. Per quanto riguarda l’Unione Europea, l’intesa di principio prevede tariffs to 15%, ma restano da definire i dettagli settoriali. Alcuni comparti produttivi – come farmaceutico, automobilistico e componentistica – sono ancora in fase di negoziazione per determinare l’applicazione specifica delle nuove regole.
Le aziende stanno quindi utilizzando questo periodo di transizione per esplorare diverse opzioni strategiche e valutare le migliori modalità per mantenere la propria competitività sul mercato americano. Molte imprese vedono in questa fase un’opportunità per rivedere e Optimize its international business approaches.
L’analisi degli effetti delle nuove politiche tariffarie statunitensi rivela un articulated framework, in cui l’intensità dell’impatto è direttamente correlata ai volumi di esportazione verso gli Stati Uniti. I principali interessati risultano essere l’Unione Europea, seguita da Mexico, China, Canada, Japan e South Korea.
La situazione europea presenta alcune peculiarità interessanti. Nonostante l’appartenenza al medesimo blocco commerciale, i singoli Stati membri registrano esposizioni tariffarie diverse in base alla composizione dei rispettivi panieri di esportazione. L’Irlanda, specializzata principalmente nel settore farmaceutico attualmente esente da dazi, presenta un profilo di rischio diverso rispetto all’Italia, che con un’esposizione media del 9% reflects the diversification of its exports. In contrast, Slovakia, which is focused on the automotive sector, is subject to tariffs of 25% for this specific segment.
L’Associazione Artigiani e Piccole Imprese Mestre (CGIA) ha elaborato un’analisi complessiva che considera sia gli effetti diretti delle misure protezionistiche, sia quelli indiretti, includendo la contrazione dei margini aziendali, i costi sociali legati all’occupazione, eventuali rilocalizzazioni produttive e gli effetti valutari del dollaro rispetto all’euro.
Nonostante la prospettiva dazi, l’Italia mantiene una solida vocazione esportativa verso il mercato statunitense. I dati della Banca d’Italia evidenziano come il 92% dei prodotti italiani destinati agli Stati Uniti si collochi nella upper and upper-middle end of the market.
This qualitative characteristic of the Made in Italy could represent an element of natural protection, considerando che i consumatori e le imprese americane ad alto reddito potrebbero mantenere le proprie preferenze di acquisto anche in presenza di incrementi di prezzo dovuti alle barriere doganali. Inoltre, le aziende italiane potrebbero assorbire parte dell’impatto attraverso un adeguamento dei propri margini operativi.
L’aspetto legale delle misure tariffarie rimane un prominent element in the U.S. institutional debate. Indeed, the U.S. court system is examining the regulatory basis on which the new trade impositions rest.
Nel maggio scorso, la Corte per il commercio internazionale di New York ha sollevato questioni di legittimità riguardo ai dazi, contestando l’utilizzo di una normativa risalente a diversi decenni fa che attribuisce al presidente poteri economici eccezionali in situazioni di emergenza nazionale. Secondo l’interpretazione del tribunale, le condizioni attuali non configurerebbero tale stato di emergenza.
L’amministrazione federale ha reagito a questa pronuncia presentando ricorso presso la Corte d’Appello federale, avviando così un Judicial path that could be protracted over time. Observers of the American legal system believe it highly likely that the issue will eventually reach the Supreme Court for a final decision.
Questo sviluppo introduce un ulteriore elemento di variabilità nel panorama commerciale internazionale, poiché l’esito del confronto giudiziario potrebbe influenzare l’applicazione e la durata delle misure tariffarie attualmente in vigore. Le aziende e gli operatori commerciali stanno monitorando attentamente l’evolversi di questa vicenda legale as part of its strategic planning.
In the context of an interview entitled. “Where exports pay no duty”, conducted by Motore Italia and published in Milano Finanza, the CEO of Octagona Alexander Fichera, had already examined in detail the strategies that Italian companies can adopt to effectively deal with U.S. tariffs and better compete in the global market. In this regard, he highlighted the crucial importance for Italian SMEs to develop a strong international manufacturing presence.
“The manufacturing footprint is something that companies need to prepare for as soon as possible,” Fichera said. This involves a thorough assessment to identify the most suitable markets in which to invest. L’artificial intelligence becomes an essential tool for quickly analyzing large amounts of data and making informed decisions.
To support this, Bonfiglioli Consulting, of which Octagona is the business unit dedicated to the internationalization of companies, has developed an advanced tool that enables it to map markets and identify potential critical issues, such as customs blocks or geopolitical tensions. This tool enables companies to effectively anticipate and manage these challenges, ensuring a proactive approach essential to quickly adapt to global market changes and maintain a competitive advantage.
Alessandro Fichera warned that lack of planning and ignoring cultural differences are common mistakes among SMEs aiming to undertake paths of internationalization. “Today, numbers play a crucial role,” he stressed, highlighting the importance of carefully analyzing suppliers and setting up alert systems to deal with possible market challenges. Italian companies must adopt targeted strategies and focus on aggregation to compete in complex and dynamic markets, where competitors are often much larger.
“We need to attract foreign resources to Italy to broaden our cultural capacity and overall vision,” added the Octagona CEO. This approach not only strengthens companies' competitiveness, but also broadens their global perspective, enabling them to face challenges with a broader and more integrated view, improving resilience.
Regarding countries to monitor, in a previous interview with Milano Finanza, Fichera had already pointed to Mexico as a very promising market, especially for manufacturing investment. In Monterrey, the local government is attracting foreign investment with significant incentives.
It is also important to keep an eye on United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and, in particular, the’India, described as “a market with impressive growth dynamics, but complex, requiring a careful cultural approach.” Indeed, India invites manufacturing with Western technologies, but using local labor.
In an environment where exporting to the US has become more complex due to new trade policies and tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, and further complicated by the Euro-dollar exchange rate fluctuations, the Italian economy faces significant challenges that can also turn into relevant opportunities.
This situation calls for a careful analysis of U.S. market penetration strategies, considering not only duties but also logistics costs and increasingly fierce competition.
While the geopolitical scenario is pending redefinition and new arrangements could be established, direct investment in the United States, through the establishment of subsidiaries or joint ventures, can be an effective strategy to mitigate the impact of tariffs and ensure greater long-term competitiveness. This approach also allows access to local financing and the benefit of government incentives, depending on the state chosen for establishment.
We have already discussed how open a company in the United States can facilitate business relationships with local companies, which often prefer to interact with companies subject to U.S. jurisdiction, thus simplifying administrative procedures and speeding up response times.
Opening a branch office in the United States is generally smooth due to a efficient bureaucracy, although it requires a thorough knowledge of local regulations. In addition, it is essential for companies to carefully evaluate the type of company to be formed, considering factors such as hiring employees, taxation of profits, and risk management. It is not necessary to have a visa, be a resident, establish a board of directors, have a U.S. partner, or pay a mandatory minimum capital. Choosing the most appropriate legal structure is critical to optimizing tax management and minimizing risk.
In the United States, the main corporate forms are. Sole Proprietorship, Corporation e LLC. The optimal choice depends on the specific needs of the business. Sole Proprietorship is simple, ideal for small businesses; Corporation offers legal protection but involves double taxation; LLC combines tax advantages and limited liability. Taxation on profits is 21%, with no fixed upfront costs, but requires tax planning. Registration requires choice of state, name verification, a registered agent, incorporation documents, an EIN, a bank account, and compliance with regulations. The process, although complex, can be quick and smooth if supported by professionals.
The global environment poses increasingly complex challenges for Italian companies wishing to export to the United States. It is precisely in this complexity, however, great opportunities are also concealed. It is essential to adopt a strategic approach that combines legal and tax expertise, local knowledge and advanced analytical tools.
Into this scenario comes a new tool designed precisely to facilitate the choices of Italian companies: the Smart Country Guide, recently presented by the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles and the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco. The guide provides an in-depth overview of the 11 states on America's West Coast, highlighting sectoral opportunities, regulatory barriers, entry strategies e cases of entrepreneurial success. A true operations manual, full of up-to-date data and interactive resources, that helps you navigate the U.S. market with greater awareness and long-term vision.
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For those who want to export or invest in the U.S., consult the Guide is the first step in building a solid, sustainable and competitive presence.
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