Passports, Italy overtakes the US in the ranking of the most powerful

The US passport, for the first time in twenty years, is not among the most 'powerful' in the world, i.e. those that allow visa-free travel. With the US document, it is possible to do so in 180 countries, the same as the Malaysian one.

And so, the Usa are twelfth in the global ranking compiled by Henley & Partners, based on data from the International Air Transport Association. A continued descent, considering that in 2014 the US was in first place. This "signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics", according to Christian Kaelin, president of Henley & Partners.

The report cites the Trump administration's policies as one of the factors that contributed to the drop in the rankings. In particular, the tightening of immigration by President Trump's administration, which saw the State Department announce that it would begin reviewing the records of over 55 million US visa holders for potential violations.

"Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are making great strides," he added, "while those that cling to past privileges are being left behind.

Among the front-runners is Italy, which is now fourth in the ranking. The passport gives access to 188 countries without the need for a visa. The podium is completed by Japan (189), South Korea (190) and Singapore (193).