Obama invited Renzi for his presidency's final official visit to the White House and state dinner, confidently telling his spectators during the arrival ceremony that "we saved the best for last".
The outgoing president said that Renzi's "bold" and "progressive" leadership was exactly what Europe needs during the time of crisis and contemplation.
Obama and Renzi talked about a long list of issues on which both of them agree. The two leaders intend to speed the growth of the economy through investments in infrastructures and to look forward to a possible trade agreement between the United State and the European Union.
The importance of strengthening the NATO alliance and the necessity to preserve sanctions against Russia in place were also tackled by the two leaders.
With everyone is discussing the specific issues with their respective constituents, Obama has clearly seen the use of symbolism as an effective means to be able to express his support for Renzi who, according to Obama, is one of the most promising young politicians in Europe.
The special treatment began just a few weeks before voters in Italy take up a governing referendum which Renzi has spearheaded. Renzi has said he would resign if voters reject it.
As far as the governing referendum is concerned, Obama did and said, "I am rooting for success, but I think you should hang around for a while no matter what."
The leaders hugged briefly and patted each other on the back after the two of them spoke.
"I mean, look at him," Obama enthused. "He's young, handsome. He's put forth a vision of progress that's not rooted in people's fears, but rather in their hopes. "
"I want to thank the United States of America for the extraordinary support for the battle that Italy is having in our country, within Europe, to affirm a paradigm of growth and not only of austerity at all levels," Renzi said.
Looking back in the past few years, Europe has faced some hard times, with decreasing economic growth and the conflict in the Middle East resulting to a refugee crisis which contributed to the nuance of the anti-European Union sentiments. Obama asserted that Renzi's plan to Europe is an essential to the United States' long-term interests.
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