If the italian economy was that bad, they be working overtime to make Pistols for us Americans. Suck up the dollars. Must be another reason.
I think the importers make ordering mistakes. For instance, anybody see the Ardesa underhammer pistol for sale in the US, supposedly, Traditions is the sole importer and if they don't order them, they just aren't brought in. Same for some of the odd Pedersoli guns. Some of the guns on their web site aren't carried by the importer except by special order.
Some importers just don't seem to give a crap. For instance Lyman could sell a bunch of their muzzleloader pistols in PA, if they were offered in Flint. I have written to them twice suggesting it.