Trade between Italy and the United States delivered an encouraging signal in August 2026, with Italian exports to the U.S. increasing 31.1% compared with the same month a year earlier, according to preliminary data released by Italy’s National Institute of Statistics, Istat.
The United States was one of the strongest contributors to Italy’s export growth during the month. Among Italy’s major non-EU trading partners, only Switzerland recorded a larger year-over-year increase, at 57%. The U.S. performance was also substantially stronger than the 16.1% overall increase in Italian exports to non-EU countries.
The August result is particularly significant because trade flows between Italy and the United States have been closely watched following the introduction of U.S. tariffs and the uncertainty they created for Italian exporters.
Imports moved in the opposite direction. Italy’s purchases of goods from the United States declined 11.1% in August compared with August 2025. This combination – significantly higher Italian exports to America and lower imports from the U.S. – points to a particularly strong month for Italy in bilateral merchandise trade.
The latest figures also contrast sharply with August 2025, when Italian exports to the United States had fallen by more than 21% year over year. The comparison therefore shows a substantial reversal within 12 months.
Istat cautions that the August 2026 figures for trade with countries outside the European Union are preliminary. Complete Italian foreign-trade statistics for the month are scheduled for release on October 16.
For now, however, the U.S. market has provided one of the strongest positive contributions to Italian exports – confirming the continuing importance of American demand for goods made in Italy.
