The Romanian government is already preparing aid schemes for the sectors that could suffer from the new tariffs imposed by the U.S., and the proposed measures will be discussed next week with those affected, so as to minimise the impact on Romanian companies of these tariffs, Romania’s Finance Minister Tanczos Barna told a news briefing at the end of a government meeting on Thursday.

„As Prime Minister Ciolacu announced before the government meeting, we are already preparing state aid schemes to help the sectors that could suffer from the tariff decisions. The decisions also affect the direct commercial relations between Romania and the United States of America, but we are also suppliers of automotive components, for example, for the automotive industry throughout the European Union. Today, I have already contacted two extremely important associations of the business environment, Concordia and ACAROM. (…) Next week, Monday or Tuesday, we will have a discussion where we will discuss the measures that the Government will put forth to minimise the impact of these tariffs on Romanian companies,” Tanczos said.

He added that there is also an ongoing analysis in the European Union, and Romania’s Minister of the Economy, Digital Transformation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Bogdan Ivan, will meet next week, Monday and Tuesday, other ministers of the European Union to prepare an adequate response to support European industries.

As for the possible aid schemes, the minister said that they will be discussed with the industry and solutions will be sought that best meet its needs.

„From them, the industry, we are waiting first of all for proposals. We do not want to impose state aid schemes that are not efficient and are not used exactly as the industry wants. What I can tell you is that this industry contributes significantly to the government revenues. These receipts, these payments from companies are carefully monitored by my team at the ministry. I can tell you that the first months of the year do not yet give cause for concern. The industry is doing even better than in 2024, depending on certain differences plus or minus in certain categories of taxes paid, but overall the revenues are acceptable, they are increasing compared to 2024.”

Tanczos also said that the current situation can improve trade relations with the United States, as a whole, and can lead to very short supply chains and domestic production, domestic consumption.

„If exports are hindered, we have to reorient ourselves and have as many products as possible, now I am talking about the economy as a whole, as many products as possible consumed in the European Union or in another member country of the European Union.”

U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs of 20% on products imported from the European Union, insisting that any product that enters the US will be taxed at least 10%.

AGERPRES