The president of Anima Confindustria, Pietro Almici, calls on EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič for action.
In an increasingly complex and competitive global context, the Italian mechanical engineering industry represented by Anima Confindustria is facing significant challenges due to the recent tariffs imposed by the United States. On August 19, the White House announced the introduction of duties of up to 50% on products and components made of steel, aluminum, and derivatives, a measure that threatens the competitiveness of Italian companies in the primary reference market for the mechanical engineering sector, with exports reaching €4.4 billion in 2024.
Pietro Almici, president of Anima Confindustria, said: "It is essential that the European Union responds in a coordinated manner to these protectionist measures. On the occasion of his visit to Italy, we urge EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to intensify negotiations with the US government to reduce bureaucratic burdens and eliminate extra duties on mechanical engineering products containing steel, aluminum, and copper. We believe it is necessary to define a defense strategy and accelerate market diversification, including new trade agreements such as the one with Mercosur. The mechanical engineering industry has historically been the engine of Europe's economic and social development. Companies in the sector not only drive exports but also contribute significantly to economic stability and social cohesion, with 60% of production destined for export. At this historic moment—Almici continues—specific agreements between US and European customs would reduce the bureaucratic burden, which, in the case of SMEs, can result in the deployment of as few as two or three people for two weeks to dedicate to a single order. A clearly unsustainable business cost for small and medium-sized companies, which comprise the vast majority of the Italian mechanical manufacturing industry.
Despite recent trade tensions, mechanical engineering exports have demonstrated remarkable resilience. In the first half of 2025, export turnover for the sectors represented by Anima Confindustria remained stable, with growth of +0.4%, exceeding €19.8 billion (data from Anima's Statistics and Market Intelligence Office). In this scenario, it is crucial for the mechanical engineering industry to develop new strategies to safeguard and expand the market. The diversification of destinations, already underway towards North America, the Middle East, and Africa, represents a strategic lever for strengthening Italian exports and improving the trade balance, which has shown signs of rebalancing in recent years.
A good example could come from the Mattei Plan, launched in 2024, which offers a concrete opportunity to relaunch Italian technological capabilities in Africa, supporting local development through equal partnerships and creating opportunities for European mechanical engineering SMEs. Similarly, in Europe, the harmonization and dissemination of European technical standards in partner countries would facilitate exports and industrial integration on our continent.
"We ask that in the upcoming trade negotiations, the European Union include concrete tools for regulatory convergence, in order to reduce time and costs and create barrier-free industrial corridors," added Almici. "Italy's strategic position in the EU manufacturing industry is essential to ensure solid commercial performance and contribute to the dissemination of European industrial standards."
ANIMA Confindustria is the industrial trade organization that, within Confindustria, represents companies in the mechanical and related sectors, a sector that employs 221,700 people with a turnover of €55.5 billion and an export/turnover share of 59% (data from the Anima Research Office). The macro-sectors represented by ANIMA are: construction and infrastructure; material handling and logistics; food production; energy production; industrial production; safety and environment.
In 2025, exports of valves and taps reached €6.2 billion (+5.2% compared to 2024). exports of valv
AVR – Italian Valve and Tap Manufacturers Association – will be a key player at MCE – Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, held from March 24th to 27th in Milan. In 2025, after years of contraction, exports of valves and taps for civil use to Germany will return to positive territory, with a value of 153 million euros and a growth of 12% compared to 2024 and +20% compared to 2020. Saudi Arabia is the leading destination country in terms of revenue, followed by the United States and China; Concerns remain high about the impact of geopolitical instability on strategic markets such as the Middle East, an area which overall is worth 874.9 million euros for the civil valves and taps sector alone; Other concerns include rising energy costs, currency instability, tariff uncertainty, logistical difficulties, the lack of real free movement of goods, and an unclear European regulatory framework, often perceived as poorly aligned with industry needs. AVR, in the presence of 13 international associations belonging to the International Valves and Taps Alliance, proposes to create the first "World Forum dedicated to valves and taps". The Italian valve and faucet sector remains a leading international player. According to data from the Statistics Office of Anima Confindustria, released by AVR —the Italian Valve and Tap Manufacturers' Association, affiliated with Anima —during MCE–Mostra Convegno Expocomfort , exports of the valve and faucet sector (which includes valves for construction, industrial valves, sanitary taps, and fittings) will reach nearly €6.2 billion in 2025, up 5.2% from 2024, with an estimated total turnover of €9.55 billion. Exports of valves and faucets for residential use alone exceeded €3.2 billion (+6% from 2024). Considering only residential valves and faucets, Saudi Arabia is the leading destination country in 2025, followed by the United States and China. Among the countries, the German market , after years of contraction, is returning to positive territory, with exports of €153 million and a 12% growth compared to 2024 and a 20% growth compared to 2020, reaffirming its position as the reference market for Italian exports of residential valves and faucets. This trend could offer a significant contribution to the European sector and offset, at least in part, the impact of geopolitical instability on strategic markets such as the Middle East , an area worth €874.9 million to Italy overall. Furthermore, among the countries that recorded the most positive export performances in 2025, Norway also stands out, with a 59% increase. Besides geopolitical instability and its impact on strategic markets, what other concerns do industry entrepreneurs have? 2026 will also see rising energy costs, currency instability, tariff uncertainty, logistical challenges, the lack of true free movement of goods, and an unclear European regulatory framework, often perceived as poorly aligned with industry needs. In a complex scenario like this, it is crucial to strengthen dialogue and collaboration beyond national borders, creating concrete opportunities for discussion and cooperation between businesses, institutions, and trade associations. The goal is to jointly address sensitive issues for the sector (such as PFAS, nuclear power, and lead) and identify common solutions and best practices, recognized and adopted internationally. It is precisely in this direction that AVR is committed to creating the first Global Forum dedicated to valves and faucets . This meeting aims to leverage international experiences and offer shared tools to address the main challenges common to all businesses operating in countries around the world. "The Italian valves and taps sector confirms its position as an international benchmark, thanks to highly specialized manufacturing capabilities, a strong focus on innovation, and a consolidated presence in key foreign markets, " stated Sandro Bonomi, President of AVR . " The 2025 data confirm the sector's solidity, but at the same time highlight how complex and constantly evolving the global landscape remains. In this scenario, for a highly export-oriented sector like ours, it is essential to be able to rely on conditions that support the competitiveness of companies and enhance their presence on international markets. The discussions launched at MCE with the International Valves and Taps Alliance are moving precisely in this direction: strengthening dialogue between the sector's key stakeholders and sharing a common vision of the industrial, technical, and commercial challenges that lie ahead." AVR is the federated industrial association of ANIMA Confindustria, representing Italian companies in the valve and faucet industry, with over 80 member companies. In 2025, the sector, which includes building valves, industrial valves, sanitary faucets, and fittings, is projected to generate revenues of €9.55 billion, with exports accounting for nearly €6.2 billion, more than 60% of total revenues (estimate by the Anima Confindustria Research Office). The member associations of the International Valves and Taps Alliance: AVR – Italian Valve and Tap Manufacturers Association, AGRIVAL (Spain), BVAA (UK), CIPHE (UK), EVOLIS (France), FLUIDEX (Spain), IAPMO (USA), JVMA (Japan), POMSAD (Turkey), SAI, Valves and Fittings (Sweden), SPAP (Poland), URS (Switzerland), VDMA (Germany), VMA (USA). ANIMA Confindustria Meccanica Varia is the trade organization within Confindustria (Italian Confederation of Mechanical Engineering) that represents companies in the mechanical and related sectors, a sector that employs 221,700 people, generates a turnover of €56 billion and accounts for 60% of exports (data from the Anima Research Office). The main sectors represented by ANIMA are: construction and infrastructure; material handling and logistics; food production; energy production; industrial production; and safety and environment.
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