From negotiating tables to eliminate trade tariffs between the US and the European Union (the TTIP talks) to erecting walls to obstruct free circulation of goods. The threat of a worsening – up to 100% - of US tariffs on a series of European products (from farm and food goods to motorcycles) – in response to an old quarrel on meat imports – is above all a red light.

This is the bad signal of a climate in which at least 10% of Italian food exports into the US are at risk. And it casts an overall shadow on all “Made in Italy” products, from fashion to mechanics, which relied on sales in the US to tide them over during Italy’s long recession.