Strengthening Transatlantic Ties. On Tuesday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to her office, highlighting their shared commitment to deepening investments and collaboration across the Atlantic, particularly in emerging strategic sectors.
- “We have shared the intention to further enhance investments and partnerships between the two sides of the Atlantic, including in new strategic areas,” Meloni stated.
- “We hope that Florida and Italy’s relationship continues to grow, and we welcome greater investment from Italian companies in our state,” said Governor DeSantis.
- Florida leads all U.S. states in the number of Italian businesses operating within its borders, with annual trade between Italy and Florida amounting to $4.4 billion.
The Chico Forti case. DeSantis played a pivotal role in enabling the Meloni government to secure the repatriation of Chico Forti in May.
- Forti, a former sailor, had been convicted of murder in Miami in a controversial trial that sparked significant doubt in Italy and had spent over 20 years in American prisons.
- Andrea Di Giuseppe, an MP from Meloni’s party, Fratelli d’Italia, who has a personal relationship with the governor, also contributed to the resolution of the case.
Counter-China efforts. According to the Italian newspaper Il Foglio, DeSantis’ visit “is part of a new strategy in U.S. economic diplomacy aimed at strengthening alliances at local levels, with a distinctly anti-China orientation.”
- Italy, in this context, is seen as one of Europe’s weaker links, seeking easy investment from the People’s Republic of China.
- During his week-long tour in Italy, DeSantis will visit not only Rome but also Turin, Milan, Viareggio, and Florence.
- Key topics of discussion include collaborations in infrastructure, the maritime sector, healthcare, and scientific research.
Post-election dynamics. The visit also carries political significance in light of the recent U.S. presidential elections, won by Donald Trump.
- At the outset of the Republican primaries, Elon Musk, now an ally of President-elect Trump, had initially backed DeSantis, who withdrew after eight months marked by intense clashes with Trump.
- In September, Musk presented Meloni with the Atlantic Council’s Global Citizens Award.
