In Italian, the Italian Trade Agency is called Istituto per il Commercio Estero, with the acronymous "ICE", which of course in the US is a completely different thing. ICE marks its 100th anniversary in 2026, a milestone that mirrors Italy’s transformation from a relatively inward-looking economy into one of the world’s leading export powers.
Founded in 1926 as the National Export Institute, the agency has spent a century helping Italian companies enter foreign markets and build the international reputation of Made in Italy.
When ICE was established, exports of goods and services represented about 12% of Italy’s gross domestic product. By 2025, that share had nearly tripled to 32.2%, demonstrating how deeply international trade has become embedded in the national economy.
Italian goods exports grew 3.3% in 2025 to approximately €644 billion, while imports rose 3.1%. The country generated a €50.7 billion trade surplus and ranked fifth among the world’s largest merchandise exporters, based on data available for the first 11 months of the year.
The United States remained especially important, absorbing 10.8% of Italian goods exports. Sales to the American market increased 7.2% in 2025, even as exports from Germany, France and Spain to the United States declined. Italy’s performance reflected the strength of machinery, pharmaceuticals, food, fashion, furniture and other highly specialized products.
Today, ICE operates through 87 offices in 74 countries, covering 133 markets. It supports more than 13,000 companies and provides over 30,000 advisory services, reinforcing the global reach of small and medium-sized Italian businesses.
As trade barriers rise, its next challenge will be turning Italy’s quality and innovation into broader, more resilient growth across emerging markets while protecting established commercial relationships worldwide today.
