Culture as a foreign policy tool, the importance of Italian businesses, and the role of the twenty million people of Italian descent. At the launch of La Stampa USA in New York, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani answered our questions on relations between Italy and the United States.
The cultural bridge: how important are cinema, art, cuisine, fashion and design in keeping the bond between the two countries alive?
“The relationship between Italy and the United States goes far beyond a political and economic alliance: it is a deep bond between two societies. For millions of Americans, their love for Italy began even before their first visit. They discovered it at the cinema with Federico Fellini and Sergio Leone; they heard it in Ennio Morricone’s soundtracks; they tasted it in a plate of pasta; they wore it in a Giorgio Armani dress. For Italy, culture is a strategic lever of foreign policy and a driver of growth. Through the Italian Cultural Institutes, we are investing in this form of diplomacy to strengthen relations between the two sides of the Atlantic. Events such as ‘Italian Cuisine Week around the World’, ‘Italian Fashion Days around the World’ and ‘Italian Design Day’ – which is growing rapidly in the US – also play an important role. And in 2027, we will host the America’s Cup in Naples.”
Why is interaction between peoples so important?
“Institutions build bridges; people cross them every day. That is why we want to invest in university and scientific cooperation, youth mobility, professional exchanges and cultural partnerships. In this dialogue, language plays a fundamental role: this year we are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Programme, and from 19 to 25 October, a host of events across the US will mark the 26th edition of the Week of the Italian Language in the World.”
How does the Minister of Foreign Affairs support Italian businesses in breaking into the US market?
“The United States is the main non-EU market for Italian-made goods. Despite the tariffs, trade reached a record high of EUR 105 billion in 2025, representing a 15 per cent increase. In collaboration with ITA, SACE, SIMEST and other key players in the ‘Sistema Italia’, we help companies to understand the US market. The opening of the new SIMEST office in New York, which I inaugurated last September, forms part of this initiative. Since the start of 2026, we have disbursed over EUR 1.1 billion in concessional loans, 10 per cent of which was for the US market. Through SIMEST ‘USA Measure’, we have made 500 million available for concessional loans and equity investments for businesses with interests in the United States. And at the end of October, Vinitaly is coming to New York for the first time.”
What role do the millions of Italian Americans play?
“We have a significant presence in the US, with over 400,000 Italian citizens and millions of people of Italian descent. A community whose role I highlighted during my meeting in September with State Secretary Marco Rubio. To strengthen their ties with Italy and revitalise our regions, I wanted to give new impetus to ‘Tourism of the Roots’, which invites Italians living abroad and their descendants to rediscover the places from which their ancestors set out. Another priority is to strengthen cooperation with Italian American organisations, starting with the National Italian American Foundation. And finally, there is an important event: the re-election of the Comites, the Committees of Italians Abroad.”
