President Lee Jae Myung wrapped up the Italy leg of his European tour on Saturday after upgrading relations with Rome to a Special Strategic Partnership and securing agreements spanning small business cooperation, science and technology, digital trade and culture. During meetings with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Lee also raised concerns over European regulations that could affect Korean companies, including industrial policies and carbon-related trade measures, while officials from both sides discussed expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, energy and advanced manufacturing.

The trip produced at least one concrete commercial outcome. Italian officials moved to