For all Philadelphia's claims of being an "international city," the last of its once-grand corps of European diplomats almost pulled out last year. World diplomacy is shifting to the vast cities of Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Aging nations need to make new trade ties in those places. Canada shut its Philly consulate in 2012. Italy was ready to do the same.

But the Italians stayed. Advocates argued that the country, with its flat economy and crushing bureaucracy - and a commitment to change all that from energetic Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, 39 - needs friends and trade partners, and can find more here by updating old ties to the big Italian American communities.

Read more

Source: http://articles.philly.com