Rome is looking for ways to withdraw from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) without damaging relations with Beijing, writes Politico.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in an interview with Corriere della Sera, the main question is how to leave without damaging relations.
In May, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the country could enjoy good relations with China without being part of Beijing’s controversial infrastructure project, but Croceto’s comments are the first serious confirmation of Italy’s intention to leave the Chinese project.
Crosetto said: “The choice to join the Silk Road was an improvised and wicked act, made by the government of Giuseppe Conte, which led to a double negative result.
We exported a load of oranges to China, they tripled exports to Italy in three years.”
In 2019, Italy surprised Western allies by becoming the first G7 country to join China’s global infrastructure project. According to statistics from the Italian Trade Agency, China’s exports of goods to Italy increased by 51% from 2019 to 2022, while Italy’s exports to China increased by only 26% during this time period.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Mair has announced that France wants freer access to the Chinese market and more balanced trade relations, not alienation.
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