Statement by the President of Confindustria Lombardia, Giuseppe Pasini

During a period of significant instability, Lombardy’s businesses are bucking the national and European trend by demonstrating an ability to embrace change and adapt to new scenarios. While awaiting the impact of US tariff policies on Lombard supply chains, entrepreneurs remain concerned by the unresolved issues of high energy costs and energy security, as well as the prolonged crisis in Germany (-0.3% GDP compared to the previous quarter). With global energy demand rising by 2% in 2024, resolving the issue of Italian and European energy security is essential to reducing the gap with competitors and ensuring competitiveness.

Confindustria Lombardia hopes that, following the new trade balance on tariffs, businesses will regain stability and certainty.

It is now crucial for European institutions to return to supporting industry by eliminating ‘internal duties’. If we look at the automotive sector, which is symbolic of the European industrial crisis, the European Commission’s failed management since 2019 has led to a 15.8% decline in volumes for the Italian sector.

As demonstrated by the USA and China, Europe will only be able to regain its economic and political centrality through a strong, innovative, and protected production system that works in synergy with the regulatory and institutional level.

Attachments

• Lombardy economic outlook press release.pdf
• Report_2_2025_FINAL.pdf