The introduction of US tariffs, with an estimated annual impact of between €7 and €9 billion on Italian exports, is compelling businesses toward strategic diversification. In this search for new routes, the economic center of gravity in the Middle East is shifting rapidly: while markets like the United Arab Emirates are a consolidated destination, the real growth opportunity today lies in Saudi Arabia, which has been transformed by Vision 2030 into the Gulf’s primary destination.
A comparison between the two markets highlights not only a more structured Saudi tariff regime (typically between 5–20%) compared to US volatility, but also more dynamic economic fundamentals. While the US economy is experiencing moderate growth (+3.3% in Q2 2025), the Kingdom’s non-oil activities—the true engine of the transformation—recorded an exceptional acceleration of +4.6% in the same period, offering a more predictable growth environment.
This dynamic is confirmed by trade data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Italian exports to the Kingdom marked a record growth of +37.2% in 2024, reaching a value of 30.2 billion riyals (approximately $8 billion). Demand is driven by industrial know-how, with mechanical engineering confirming itself as the leading export sector. This testifies to how Saudi needs are aligning with the core pillars of Italian production.
The Kingdom’s statistics and growth trajectory are a direct reflection of the monumental economic transformation led by Vision 2030. The strong demand generated by giga-projects in sectors like technology, construction, and energy offers European businesses the opportunity to evolve from mere suppliers into strategic partners. For companies seeking to mitigate global risks and position themselves in high-potential markets, analyzing and understanding the Saudi scenario is no longer an option, but a fundamental step toward future growth.
