A Future-Focused Alliance Driving Global Business Growth

Global partnerships are under pressure, yet the U.S.–Italy Economic Partnership—a vital component of the broader U.S.–EU relationship—stands out for its depth, resilience, and long-term potential.

What began as a strategic alliance has evolved into a results-driven economic synergy that fuels innovation, job creation, and competitiveness on both sides of the Atlantic.

Insight from the AmCham Italy Webinar: A New Era of Cross-Border Collaboration

During a recent AmCham Italy webinar, thought leaders from global corporations and policy institutions explored how to strengthen U.S.–EU economic ties, with particular emphasis on the growing importance of the U.S.–Italy Economic Partnership. The message was clear: to stay resilient, this partnership must focus on:

• Smart regulation

• Innovation and digital investment

• Public-private cooperation

• Sustainable, values-based growth

Transatlantic Trade by the Numbers (2024)

• In 2024, Italy exported over $77 billion in goods to the United States.

• U.S. exports to Italy totaled $33 billion.

• More than 2,750 U.S. companies operate in Italy, employing around 400,000 people.

• Italian investments in the U.S. reached $43 billion in 2023.

These aren’t just impressive figures, they reflect mutual trust, aligned interests, and a long-term vision.

“Italianness in America is highly appreciated across all sectors, not just in fashion or food,” said Simone Crolla, Managing Director of AmCham Italy.

As this economic bridge grows stronger, specialized language and communication services are becoming essential. Companies need support to navigate regulations, localize compliance materials, and communicate clearly across markets as they expand operations internationally.

Why This Partnership Is Strategic

As global alliances realign, there’s growing recognition that like-minded economies need to deepen cooperation. The European Union and the United States together account for nearly half of global GDP—positioning their collaboration as essential to economic stability. Within this framework, the U.S.–Italy Economic Partnership plays a critical role, serving as a model for transatlantic innovation, investment, and resilience.

From digital infrastructure to pharmaceutical logistics, collaboration is diversifying:

Tech, Policy, and Opportunity: What Businesses Should Know

1. Technology Drives the New Economy

From AI to high-performance computing, cross-border tech investment is growing.

• HPE Italy and ENI are building advanced computing infrastructure, placing Italy among the top five countries for AI readiness.

• Digital transformation is now at the center of economic diplomacy.

Companies expanding internationally must consider both infrastructure and intercultural agility, making communication and alignment more critical than ever. Technology is no longer a separate sector. It’s now the medium through which influence, collaboration, and value creation are negotiated.

2. Policy Must Support Innovation

Policy must support innovation. Clarity and flexibility are needed to enable private-sector investment in AI, 5G, and digital transformation. Dialogue between tech leaders and legislators is critical. A new era of values-based economic cooperation is emerging where shared standards are just as important as shared profits. Laws are changing fast. The EU’s AI Act and Data Act, along with U.S. initiatives like PACT for AI (recently adopted by several U.S. tech firms operating in Europe to promote ethical AI development and responsible data use) aim to build shared standards for ethical and responsible innovation.

“We must help lawmakers keep pace with technology,”
says Claudio Bassoli of HPE Italy.

To make these standards effective, teams must understand and interpret them across languages and legal systems.

Supply Chains, Tax Strategy, and the Role of Culture

3. Resilient Supply Chains Are a Business Imperative

According to Marzia Picciano of UPS Italy, recent global conflicts caused €171 billion in supply chain disruption between 2022 and 2024. In today’s environment, digitally enabled, resilient logistics chains are not optional, they’re essential.

UPS’s 2022 acquisition of Italian pharma logistics company Bomi expanded its reach to 14 countries. This move strengthened its position in healthcare logistics, a sector expected to grow from $130 billion in 2023 to $152 billion by 2026.

“From great challenges come great opportunities,” said Picciano.
“The transatlantic partnership gives us the structure to grow—together.”

4. Smart Taxation and Legal Structures Matter

While innovation and infrastructure dominate headlines, smart tax policies quietly shape business decisions.

Mari Clapennesi of Andersen Tax emphasized the need for companies to review their export strategies and legal frameworks to stay competitive across jurisdictions.

“Business has no political color,” she said.
“It needs stability and a vision for results.”

The right fiscal strategies, bilingual expertise and cultural fluency on both sides of the Atlantic, can accelerate decision-making to boost new growth.

Spotlight on Life Sciences: A Growing Sector That Needs Clarity

Italy’s pharmaceutical sector is thriving. A European leader in  production, exports increased by 17.7% in 2024 alone.

But regulatory uncertainty, especially around taxation and payback rules that require companies to cover public healthcare overspending, could deter U.S. investment and hinder continued growht.

Roberto Valenti of DLA Piper, Chair of AmCham’s Life Sciences Committee, stressed the need for a more stable, innovation-friendly environment. The Committee is preparing recommendations focused on:

• Regulatory clarity

• Tax stability

• Stronger R&D incentives

In a heavily regulated sector like life sciences, language clarity is critical, from clinical research to compliance and global safety protocols.

Bridging Institutions and Public Affairs and Policy Engagement

Federico Villa of Eli Lilly, who leads AmCham’s Public Affairs Committee, introduced the Future Callings initiative, a series of roundtables aimed at turning local business insights into actionable policy proposals.

From Tuscany to Rome, these sessions are helping create a structured channel between companies and institutions.

The focus? Making Italy more predictable and attractive to foreign investors.

“Companies are ready to invest,” Villa said,
“but they’re held back by unclear rules and inconsistent incentives.”

This is where cross-cultural strategy becomes a competitive advantage.

Strategic Priorities and Opportunities for the Future

Several clear priorities emerged for reinforcing the transatlantic partnership:

• Investing in Digital Infrastructure

Support AI, 5G, and smart systems with local ecosystems and modern regulation.

• Facilitating Institutional Dialogue

Enable structured, ongoing collaboration between business and government.

• Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships

Maximize bilateral initiatives like SelectUSA and Investing in America with localized support.

• Strengthening Global Supply Chains

Design logistics systems that are both efficient and strategically independent.

• Promoting Human Capital & Cultural Exchange

Foster growth through cross-border education, training, and talent mobility.

Turning Insight Into Action

This transatlantic partnership between the U.S. and Italy is more than an economic bond—it’s a shared vision of:

• Democratic resilience

• Innovation-driven growth

• Inclusive, sustainable development

“Business must understand, adapt, and choose consciously,” Clapennesi concluded.
That’s the essence of what this alliance demands: thoughtful strategy, shared values, and real-world action.

Our Perspective: Language is Strategy

For businesses scaling across markets, there’s never been a better time to think transatlantically, act internationally, communicate globally.

Whether you’re scaling your brand into new regions, engaging with investors, dealing with regulations training your team, global growth starts with clear multilingual communication.

We can help.
Let’s talk about how our language solutions and cross-cultural training can support your next phase of growth.