Small businesses are dodging tariffs. Exports are soaring to 25 countries.

MILAN – Italian companies are looking around, preparing to avoid US tariffs on European goods and constantly seeking new markets. This is what Confartigianato 's figures highlight. "In 25 top-market countries, in the first four months of 2025, our sales increased by 5.3%, compared to a 2% decline in the remaining international markets," the association writes. The top five countries with the highest growth in Made in Italy exports are the United Arab Emirates (+20.9%), followed by Brazil (+14%), Switzerland (+13.1%), Spain (+10.6%), and Saudi Arabia (+9.6%). Over the year, if this trend continues, "these 25 markets could generate an increase in exports of €20.4 billion."

"While waiting to see the full impact of US tariffs, our companies are not sitting idly by and are working hard to conquer new global markets outside the US," the Confartigianato report highlights. "Our products are 'running' faster in 25 'top market' countries, which in 2024 accounted for 61.5% of Italian exports, worth €383.6 billion out of our total €623.5 billion. In the first four months of 2025, our sales increased by 5.3%, compared to a 2% decline in the remaining international markets."

As for the 'top five', "in absolute values, our companies sell products worth 7.9 billion in the United Arab Emirates, while in Brazil, Made in Italy exports amount to 5.8 billion, in Switzerland 30.2 billion, in Spain 34.5 billion and in Saudi Arabia 6.2 billion.

Among other dynamic markets, despite Italian export values of less than 5 billion euros, double-digit sales growth was recorded in Israel with +13.1%, Denmark with +11.8%, Ireland with +11.5% and Singapore with +11.3%.

Confartigianato "estimated that if the growth trend of the first four months were to continue on an annual basis, these 25 markets could generate an increase in our exports of €20.4 billion in 2025. This result would offset the decline in sales in the US due to the new customs tariffs."

Small businesses are contributing to the success of Made in Italy products on global markets outside the US. In the United Arab Emirates, for example, SME exports are worth €3.5 billion, in Saudi Arabia €1.3 billion, and in Brazil €857 million. Among the most dynamic sectors are food, fashion, furniture, wood, metals, jewelry, and eyewear. Our businesses, observes Confartigianato President Marco Granelli, "are doing their part to respond to the impact of US tariffs by seeking new market outlets for Made in Italy products. Now, however, we are demanding that Europe truly act as Europe and place the competitiveness of entrepreneurs at the heart of its actions. We have too many obstacles," he warns, "excessive bureaucracy, tax burdens, difficulty accessing credit, and high energy costs. Suffice it to say that Italian companies pay 28% more for energy than the European average." "We ask the Italian government," Granelli concludes, "to demonstrate equal commitment to defending and promoting the quality of Made in Italy products on international markets."