Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) was part of a delegation that traveled to Italy this week to forge trade deals between the country and his state of Florida.
The governor was one of 85 representatives from the Sunshine State who traveled to Europe hoping to develop a myriad of economic opportunities for his state, according to reports. Experts in a variety of fields, including military and defense, higher education, transportation and logistics, and aerospace and aviation, among others, participated in the governor’s international trade and economic development mission, which included stops in Milan, Turin, Viareggio, Florence, and Rome, Italy’s capital.
Italy is reportedly one of Florida’s top 20 international trade partners. The European country and the Sunshine State account for “$4.4 billion in annual bilateral trade.” The desire to continue to boost bilateral economic opportunities while strengthening the bond between Florida and Italy in other areas is a mutually beneficial endeavor. DeSantis announced an academic and university partnership agreement between Italy’s Sapienza University of Rome and Florida’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. DeSantis also encouraged Italian aerospace companies to pursue opportunities to develop economic pursuits in Florida, potentially strengthening the economy in his state and country.
“Florida is greatly expanding its Italian presence, and we are pleased to announce our newest international trade office will be in Italy,” DeSantis said. “Our brick-and-mortar presence here will continue the work of this trade mission in bringing more businesses, investment, and trade to Florida.”
DeSantis met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday for a strategy session to discuss ways to enhance the development of the relationship between Florida and Italy, according to a press release.
“It was great to discuss relations between Florida and Italy with the Prime Minister today in Rome. We hope that Florida and Italy’s relationship continues to grow, and we welcome greater investment from Italian companies in our state,” DeSantis said. “We appreciate the Prime Minister hosting our trade delegation this week, and we are appreciative of her efforts to advance the interests of her country and her people.”
The yacht industry is another area where overlapping interests can provide mutually beneficial economic opportunities for the state and Italian country. Florida’s commerce secretary touted the possibility of success during this trip, acknowledging Florida’s position as a national leader in yacht building and the Italian city of Viareggio being the “epicenter of the world yacht building industry.”
“Under the Governor’s leadership, this mission continues to be a success. Today was focused on Florida’s nation-leading yacht building industry — 500 ship builders in total — who build more yachts than the rest of the nation combined,” said Florida Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly.
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“Viareggio is the epicenter of the world yacht building industry, and Florida is the epicenter of the yacht building industry outside of Italy,” Kelly said. “So today we strengthened this connection and demonstrated the powerful value that a new Italy-based SelectFlorida office would offer to both Florida’s and Italy’s marine industries job creators.”
DeSantis’s trip comes less than a week after the 2024 presidential election. After rumors briefly suggested that the governor could serve in President-elect Trump’s Cabinet, DeSantis was thrown back into the national spotlight after it was revealed that Trump would nominate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State. This leaves DeSantis responsible for appointing his replacement. Assuming Rubio accepts and is approved by the Senate, whomever DeSantis chooses as a replacement will serve until 2026. Then, a special election would determine who would serve the remaining two years of Rubio’s term.