Italy lives far beyond its borders. Our civilization crossed the Atlantic to help build the American nation, just as America, at decisive moments in history, helped defend and rebuild ours. That is the right place to begin when discussing the economic value of the relationship between Italy and the United States, because the economic ties between our two countries are about much more than trade statistics. They are rooted in shared values and in a model of development based on free enterprise, merit, and openness to the world.
A phrase sometimes used in this context is, “Make the West Great Again.” It is neither nostalgia nor nationalism. It is a vision, and above all an expression of Western solidarity before it is an Italian one. It is a call for the free nations of the world to uphold democracy, the free market, and the rule of law. That is the framework within which Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has sought to strengthen the pillars supporting the Western alliance: NATO, the transatlantic partnership, free markets, and the sovereignty of democratic nations.
An $80 Billion Partnership
The numbers speak for themselves. The United States is Italy’s largest trading partner outside the European Union. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods exceeded €80 billion, with Italy recording a surplus of roughly €40 billion and exports approaching €70 billion. Industrial machinery, pharmaceuticals, food and wine, fashion and luxury goods, furniture, and specialty chemicals are among the sectors in which American consumers continue to recognize the Made in Italy label as a symbol of quality, tradition, and craftsmanship.
The relationship extends well beyond trade. The stock of U.S. foreign direct investment in Italy exceeds €40 billion, ranging from technology leaders such as Microsoft and Google to major pharmaceutical companies and private equity firms. Investment also flows in the opposite direction. Italian companies including Generali, Leonardo, EssilorLuxottica, Prada, Ferrero, Barilla, and Campari have established substantial operations across the United States, creating jobs and generating economic value on both sides of the Atlantic.
Where the Partnership Creates Value
The strength of the relationship lies in its complementary nature. In manufacturing, Italy’s industrial districts combine with American innovation to produce globally competitive products. In defense and aerospace, Leonardo works alongside Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman on programs such as the F-35, while Italy has placed defense spending back on a path toward 2% of GDP, reinforcing its credibility within NATO.
In pharmaceuticals, where Italy ranks as Europe’s second-largest producer, exports to the United States exceed €10 billion annually and are supported by research partnerships with institutions including Harvard, MIT, and Johns Hopkins.
Soft power also plays a central role. Italian food, wine, and agricultural products continue to gain market share in the United States, bringing Prosecco, Barolo, Brunello, and Chianti to American tables as ambassadors of Italy’s regions, culture, and identity. Italian luxury brands—from Gucci and Armani to Ferrari—count the United States as their largest global market.
On the digital frontier, investments by Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services align with Italy’s Strategic Artificial Intelligence Plan and the creation of a national AI agency, reflecting the country’s ambition to become a leading European hub for innovation.
The Tariff Challenge
It would be unrealistic to ignore the issue currently dominating transatlantic economic discussions: tariffs. The Trump administration’s trade policies have once again focused attention on trade imbalances, and Italy’s export-driven industries are certainly affected. Yet tariffs ultimately function as taxes paid by businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. The shared objective should therefore be to resolve differences through a negotiated, balanced, and lasting agreement.
That is the approach Italy continues to pursue both within the European framework and in its bilateral dialogue with Washington: transforming economic tensions into opportunities. The evolving Turnberry framework offers a potential path toward lowering barriers in strategic sectors ranging from industrial manufacturing to agriculture and food products. The message is straightforward: Italy and the United States are not competitors but allies, and their economic relationship should reflect the same balance and trust that already characterize their strategic partnership.
Reforms, the Mattei Plan, and the Human Bridge
Supporting this vision is an economic reform agenda designed to strengthen competitiveness, including lower personal income taxes, corporate tax simplification, investments through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan in the digital and energy transitions, and expanded Special Economic Zones in southern Italy.
The Mattei Plan for Africa adds a third dimension to the partnership by promoting cooperation among Italy, the United States, and African nations in energy, infrastructure, and food security.
Yet the strongest bridge between the two countries remains human. More than 20 million Americans proudly identify with their Italian heritage, many of them holding leadership positions in business, finance, the professions, and public institutions. This network of trust cannot be replicated by treaties alone. It is an enduring strategic asset that the Italian government has sought to strengthen through policies involving dual citizenship and greater engagement with the Italian diaspora, recognizing that investment often follows personal relationships as much as diplomatic agreements.
The economic partnership between Italy and the United States cannot be taken for granted. It is strengthened every day through commitment, negotiation, and long-term vision. The foundations, however, are solid. The West will be stronger if its democracies continue to grow stronger together. Italy, with its ambitions and its values, stands where it has always belonged: alongside America.
