Why Russia preferred Italian shipbuilding assistance

Why did Russia turn to Italian rather than American help for dreadnought construction?

Italian assistance cost less and better supported Russia's plan to build ships in its own yards under foreign guidance.

The issue was not a simple Russian dislike of the United States. American yards expected to build almost the entire ship and deliver it for limited Russian finishing work, which was expensive and transferred less practical experience. Russia wanted foreign guidance while its own yards performed more of the construction. Italian partners were cheaper and more willing to work on those terms, helping explain the design relationship behind ships such as the Gangut class.