U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has formally submitted to Congress a sweeping reorganization plan for the State Department, which includes the closure of approximately 30 embassies and consulates around the world. Among them is the U.S. Consulate in Florence, a historic post that has long been a key bridge between the United States and Tuscany.
Rubio said the reform is meant to make the State Department “more agile and better equipped to promote American interests and ensure the safety of Americans around the world.” The plan follows an earlier announcement in April and marks the next phase of a larger strategy to modernize U.S. diplomacy.
Rumors about the closure of the Florence consulate had been circulating since March, following reports in U.S. media. Florence Daily News also reported on these early signals, though confirmation only came this week with the official communication to Congress.
The announcement has sparked concern in Florence and beyond. Massimo Manetti, president of the Florence Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter to Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Undersecretary Giorgio Silli, urging them to take action to prevent the closure. Manetti highlighted the consulate’s strategic value for both economic and cultural relations between Tuscany and the United States. He noted ongoing collaborations such as the Connect USA initiative, as well as major trade events like BuyWine, BuyFood, and BTO. In 2024, imports to Tuscany from the United States exceeded €2.5 billion, up 21% from 2023. Florence alone accounted for around €1.1 billion in U.S. imports, particularly in the pharmaceutical, tech, and aerospace sectors.
Florence Mayor Sara Funaro strongly condemned the move, calling it “a reckless decision” and “an unjustified break in a historic relationship.” She emphasized the vital role the consulate plays for the many Americans who study, work, or visit Florence every year.
“There is a deep and long-standing bond between Florence and the United States,” Funaro said. “Our city has always been known for its hospitality. This decision is a slap in the face to our history, our present, and our future, and a blow to the vast network of relationships we have built over time.”
To underscore the historic friendship between the two countries, the mayor cited a message sent by Jacqueline Kennedy to then-Mayor Piero Bargellini after the devastating flood of 1966. In that letter, Kennedy wrote:
“I know that everyone in the world will continue to offer their help, as much as possible and whenever needed, because the whole world will forever be in debt to Florence.”
That spirit of mutual support, Funaro argued, is what makes the consulate’s role irreplaceable—not only for diplomatic matters but also for the cultural and educational ties that link the two communities. Tuscany hosts over three million American visitors and students each year, with Florence as one of their top destinations.
As the proposal awaits Congressional review, many in Tuscany are hoping that diplomatic and political pressure might still reverse the decision and preserve one of the oldest American diplomatic presences in Europe
Discover more from Florence Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.