Le Maire Says Italian Recession Threatens France’s Economy

The European and global economic environment has become more threatening for France in recent months, with the recession in Italy a particularly serious concern, the French finance minister said.

Risks are building up, from the threat of fresh U.S. trade tariffs to an uncertain Brexit, an abrupt slowdown in Germany and domestic difficulties with the Yellow Vests protests. The recession in Italy has set off alarm bells in Paris as the two countries’ economies are deeply intertwined, with shared companies in multiple sectors and annual trade flows of around $90 billion.