Reuters reported that Italian government warned that US aluminium company Alcoa Inc will face consequences if it suspends operations at two Italian smelters.

Mr Claudio Scajola Italian industry minister told reporters on the sidelines of a business conference that Alcoa's decision to suspend operations at the plants that employ about 2,000 people is unacceptable.

Mr Scajola, without elaborating, said that “The government will not permit unilateral decisions. Alcoa will suffer all the consequences of a rash choice.”

The suspension of the two plants is a political issue when Italy is slowly recovering from its worst downturn since World War II, amid signs its exports are becoming less competitive against Asian competition.

(Sourced from Reuters)