The Bank of Italy reports that more than half of Lombardy’s industrial export businesses are taking action against U.S. tariffs by expanding their operations in North America.
The U.S. receives 8.6% of Lombardy’s exports which represents a small percentage below the national average of 10.5%. The most vulnerable sectors include fashion, furniture, pharmaceuticals, and beverages.
The research shows that 54% of businesses have started to adjust their operations because of President Trump’s announced tariff increases. The data shows that 18% of businesses are looking for alternative markets while 14% are planning to increase their U.S. investments. The remaining 46% of companies indicated no plans to modify their strategy because they either had minimal exposure to the market or the costs of adaptation were too high.
The research demonstrates how European exporters face increasing challenges because of the changing global trade environment. The sharp increase in U.S. import duties during 2025 forces numerous Italian businesses to decide between operating in different locations.
