United States and Italy
Atlantic cooperation, businesses and a broad cultural dimension sustain the relationship. Science, space and innovation provide distinct channels. Contacts are not limited to central governments: universities, communities and regions maintain networks with different functions and scales.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07A diplomatic relationship since unification
The US historical profile dates the establishment of relations to 1861, after Italian unification.
Space exploration and technology
The second bilateral space dialogue took place in Washington on 9 and 10 April 2026.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 117,508 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Goods: United States to Italy | 43,071.2 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Goods: Italy to United States | 74,436.8 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: United States to Italy | 1.98 % | 2025 · Census |
| Export share: Italy to United States | ||
| Investment stock: United States in Italy | 41,637 M USDBEA est. | 2025 · BEA |
| Investment stock: Italy in United States | 49,771 M USDBEA est. | 2025 · BEA |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Goods: United States to Italy
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Goods: Italy to United States
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Export share: United States to Italy
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · U.S. Census Bureau (other direction) · US goods exports to the partner / US goods exports to the world; same year and reporter.
- Investment stock: United States in Italy
- 2025 · BEA · Direct investment position at historical cost; immediate counterparty. Not portfolio investment or announced commitments. Published negative values are retained.
- Investment stock: Italy in United States
- 2025 · BEA · Direct investment position at historical cost; immediate counterparty. Not portfolio investment or announced commitments. Published negative values are retained.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | United States | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 30.77 trillion USD2025 · WB | 2.55 trillion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 90,026.52 USD2025 · WB | 43,308.64 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 2.16 %2025 · WB | 0.54 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 3.75–4 %2026-09-16 · Fed | 2.5 %2026-09-16 · BCE |
| Inflation · annual average | 2.7 %IMF est.Annual average · 2025 · IMF | 1.53 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 3.4 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · BLS | |
| Unemployment | 4.2 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 6.39 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -6.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -3.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 123.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 137.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -3.63 %2025 · WB | 1.15 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 341,784,8572025 · WB | 58,915,656World Bank est.2025 · WB |
| Area | 9,831,510 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 302,070 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDUnited States: 2025 · World BankItaly: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personUnited States: 2025 · World BankItaly: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)United States: 2025 · World BankItaly: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)United States: 2026-09-16 · Federal funds target range · Federal ReserveItaly: 2026-09-16 · ECB: deposit facility; shared euro-area rate · European Central Bank · ECB deposit facility rate, shared by euro-area members; not an independent national rate.
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)United States: 2025 · Average annual change in headline CPI (%) · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · WEO estimate; not the year-on-year change for December or August 2026. · Alternative official source; verified 2026-10-07Italy: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedUnited States: 2026-08 · Headline CPI change relative to the same month of the previous year (%) · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Published: 2026-09-11 · Headline year-on-year CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted; not monthly or core inflation.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionUnited States: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Italy: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)United States: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Italy: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)United States: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Italy: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPUnited States: 2025 · World BankItaly: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleUnited States: 2025 · World BankItaly: 2025 · World Bank · World Bank est. · Extrapolated estimate identified by the World Bank; not a census for the reference year.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceUnited States: 2023 · Total area including inland waters; territorial coverage of the source · World Bank · FAOItaly: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
United States to Italy
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 6,068.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 2,862.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 2,595.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 1,761.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 394.3 M USD2025 · Source |
Italy to United States
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 14,556.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 10,578.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 4,055.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 3,674.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 474.7 M USD2025 · Source |
How trade has changed
Billions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | United States to Italy | Italy to United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82,664.6 | 21,682.1 | 60,982.5 |
| 2022 | 96,624.8 | 27,606.2 | 69,018.6 |
| 2023 | 101,758.1 | 28,937.8 | 72,820.3 |
| 2024 | 108,456 | 32,461.3 | 75,994.7 |
| 2025 | 117,508 | 43,071.2 | 74,436.8 |
Connections between people
Academic, professional and community networks link the countries alongside the activities of businesses and administrations. [3]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from United States living in Italy | ||
| Residents from Italy living in United States | ||
| Study and training: United States in Italy | ||
| Study and training: Italy in United StatesStudy and OPT training in the United States | 6,744 | 2024/25 · IIE / Open Doors |
| Academic stays: United States in ItalyU.S. study-abroad stays carrying academic credit | 45,067 | 2023/24 · IIE / Open Doors |
| Academic stays: Italy in United States | ||
| Travel: United States to Italy | ||
| Travel: Italy to United StatesCountry of residence; international arrivals in the United States | 1,182,877arrivals | 2025 · NTTO |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Study and training: Italy in United States
- Open Doors: students by place of origin, including OPT practical training. Not visas or residents. 2024/25 · IIE / Open Doors
- Academic stays: United States in Italy
- Mobility for academic credit reported by US institutions. Not the total number of residents or enrolment on a particular date. 2023/24 · IIE / Open Doors
- Travel: Italy to United States
- Arrivals by country of residence; not nationality, unique travellers or permanent residence. NTTO series coverage. 2025 · NTTO
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
A diplomatic relationship since unification
The US historical profile dates the establishment of relations to 1861, after Italian unification. The document also records economic cooperation and the framework for investor treatment established by bilateral and European instruments. Its date is retained as background, not as a description of all policies in force in 2026. Diplomatic developments and business activity have different records and rhythms. [1]
Space exploration and technology
The second bilateral space dialogue took place in Washington on 9 and 10 April 2026. The joint statement places it within strategic cooperation and enables science, technology and space activity to be addressed through specialised delegations. Space collaboration has public and business components, distinct from conventional defence and trade in consumer goods. [2]
Technology networks on the West Coast
The Italian consulate, INNOVIT and the European Union office in San Francisco organised an interparliamentary meeting on deep tech in August 2026. Representatives of the European Parliament and the US Congress participated. The activity shows a channel linking innovation, businesses and regulation; it does not by itself constitute a new trade treaty or a measure of all bilateral investment. [3]
The scale of the two economies
The United States recorded nominal GDP of 30,769.7 billion USD in 2025, compared with 2,551.6 in 2025 for Italy. The reference populations were 341.78 million (2025) and 58.92 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, US nominal GDP was 12.06 times Italy's. These figures contextualise market size; they do not by themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or population extrapolations retain their labels in the table. No ratio is calculated when periods do not match. [7] [8] [9] [10]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Cooperation across different territorial levels
The April and August meetings document recent activities in specific areas. They help identify institutions, agendas and actors beyond presidential contacts. The bilateral space dialogue and a legislative meeting with European participation involve different parties. Investment, study and travel indicators reveal civilian connections on another scale, while the customs series records goods with consistent coverage. [2] [3]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, recorded goods trade between the United States and Italy totalled 117,508 million USD. Shipments from the United States to Italy were 43,071.2 million USD; those in the reverse direction were 74,436.8 million USD. US shipments to the partner represented 1.98% of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporter. A single customs reporting source is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or affiliates' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [4]
Recorded direct investment capital, not announced investment
The US direct investment position in Italy was 41,637 million USD in 2025. Italy's direct investment position in the United States was 49,771 million USD in 2025. BEA uses historical cost and the immediate counterparty. The figure is recorded capital at the end of the period, not a purchase or promise made during the year. It may reflect affiliate structures and financing; published negative values are not replaced with zero. It does not include all portfolio investment or allow each project to be valued individually. [5] [6]
Human connections with their own figures
In 2025, the source recorded 1,182,877 arrivals from Italy in the United States, with the coverage indicated in the table. [11]
In 2024/25, the source recorded 6,744 students and OPT practical training participants from Italy in the United States. [12]
In 2023/24, 45,067 stays for academic credit from the United States to Italy were recorded. [12]
The counts describe different populations and periods: they are not added as a total of unique people. Open Doors includes OPT practical training; US study stays require academic credit. Arrivals by country of residence do not equate to nationality or permanent residence. The academic year retains its coverage and is not relabelled as a calendar year. [11] [12]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- Historical relations with Italy
Department of State, 2017–2021 archive · Institutional source · Document: 2020 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Second bilateral space dialogue
Embassy of Italy in Washington · Institutional source · Document: 2026-04 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Deep tech cooperation and legislative dialogue
Consulate of Italy in San Francisco · Institutional source · Document: 2026-08-25 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- TOTAL rows 2021–2025; US reporter; goods; million USD
U.S. Census Bureau · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Position; country row; G=2025; million USD; historical cost; immediate counterparty
BEA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Position; country row; G=2025; million USD; historical cost; immediate counterparty
BEA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-09-17
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual; country-of-residence row; AC=2025; arrivals, not unique people
NTTO · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- International Student Totals: 2024/25 incl OPT; US study abroad 2023/24. Not visa issuance.
IIE / Open Doors · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 85; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 87; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 85; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 87; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.