China
Italy’s Strategic Shift Towards China After Exiting the Belt and Road Initiative
Italy’s exit from the Belt and Road Initiative, driven by limited benefits, may reshape relations with China, influenced more by broader geopolitical dynamics than bilateral agreements, despite recent diplomatic visits.
Italy’s Withdrawal from the BRI
Italy’s initial participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was unexpected, but its withdrawal in 2023 has been more anticipated. The limited economic gains and the primarily symbolic nature of the agreement led to disillusionment. Despite the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to China in July 2024 and a new three-year action plan, future relations between Italy and China will likely hinge on broader geopolitical dynamics involving the European Union, China, and the United States, rather than isolated agreements.
Diplomatic Signals of a Reset
Meloni’s trip, along with President Sergio Mattarella’s expected visit, may indicate a shift in Chinese-Italian relations after withdrawing from the BRI. However, Meloni’s visit does not set Italy apart, as many European leaders have engaged with Beijing post-COVID-19. Her delayed engagement suggests that Italy is now focused on developing a comprehensive strategy for its relations with China beyond the scope of the BRI.
The Ineffectiveness of the Initial Agreement
Italy joined the BRI in 2019, becoming the first G7 nation to do so, yet the benefits were ambiguous. The original memorandum failed to produce actionable goals, marked mostly by general commitments. This ineffectiveness became evident when, following the signing, China solidified substantial economic agreements in France, overshadowing any potential advantages for Italy. Consequently, Italy faced backlash from both the EU and the U.S. for diverging from a unified Western approach concerning the BRI.
Source : Italy’s soft reset with China after dropping the Belt and Road
