EU-US negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) - aimed at creating a free trade area and establishing shared standards and rules - are of strategic importance for the future of transatlantic relations and global governance. IAI, in cooperation with the German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States, ran a research programme involving a lively debate on the goals and prospects of TTIP. The program saw the publication of papers and the organization of seminars on both the economic and the political-strategic aspects of the TTIP.

Chinese investments in Italy are similar to investments in other advanced economies, but also have country-specific features. From the point of view of Chinese investors, Italy is an attractive destination not only as a wide marketplace and as a strategic gateway to the Mediterranean, but also because it is seen as a precious source for strategic assets - both in traditional and advanced industries.