Top business destination. A series of roadshows tied to the SelectUSA initiative have been held in Treviso (March 18), Bologna (March 19), and Milan (March 20), bringing together Italian enterprises and US state-level investment bodies.
- These events included commercial, R&D, assembly, and manufacturing activities.
- They aimed to match Italian firms with US Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) from over twenty states, such as New York, Florida, Illinois, and Texas.
- Institutions like Simest, the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy, Assolombarda, and several regional branches of Confindustria back the effort.
Wrapping up the momentum. To close the networking tour, the US Consulate General in Naples, in collaboration with SIMEST—Italy’s public agency supporting internationalisation—hosted a reception with representatives from several US states on March 21.
- It offered a final opportunity for Italy-based companies to engage directly with American partners and explore tailored investment pathways.
Strategic vector. For SIMEST President Pasquale Salzano, going global doesn’t mean outsourcing—it means reinforcing.
- “Being present abroad doesn’t equal delocalisation,” Salzano said during Naples’ event. “It means supporting Italian businesses in their growth journey and making them more competitive at home.”
- Salzano emphasised that international expansion can be a lever for innovation, skilled employment, and domestic development—but only if companies are solidly rooted in Italy.
State of the play. Salzano also noted the scale of current Italian engagement with the US market.
- “Over the past three years, Italian direct investments in the U.S. have averaged more than 6 billion euros per year,” he argued.
- The US is now the top destination country for SIMEST investments, with more than €170 million invested, complemented by export finance activities of about €300 million and 400 subsidised financing operations.
Decoding the news. The Italian events come as the US doubles down on reindustrialisation and investment efforts. US Vice-President JD Vance recently outlined America’s ambition to bring back supply chains, attract productive capital, and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
- It’s a landscape with opportunities for Italian firms, especially in high-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Between the lines. Some countries aren’t waiting.
- The UAE is expected to pour $1.4 trillion into the US economy over the next decade, embracing a transactional approach aligned with Donald Trump’s policy vision.
What we’re watching. Italy’s partnership with the US is no longer historical or diplomatic—it’s increasingly economic and forward-looking for strategy and growth.
- Thanks to platforms like SelectUSA and support from Simest, Italian businesses are positioning themselves to ride the next wave of global expansion, with the US as a key launchpad.
- The broader focus is shifting to the SelectUSA Investment Summit, scheduled for May 11–14, 2025, in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
