Italy officially announced late last year that it would end its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), becoming the first country to withdraw from the initiative since its creation more than a decade ago. The move has led many to fear that Italy’s exit would be similar to other notorious trade exits on the continent and around the world, such as leaving the European Union.
The Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure investment project aimed at integrating China’s economy with that of other countries, was launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government. Through this initiative, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has invested in 147 countries around the world, focusing on: Non-Western developing countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. As a result, Italy’s participation in the initiative shocked Western countries. Established through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Mr. Kanehira and former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte during Mr. Kanehira’s visit to Italy in 2019, the establishment is a much-needed investment source for Mr. Conte. The aim was to leverage China’s dominant economic position while attracting more people to Italy.
However, Italy is already a big supporter of various funding programs, and the move was a big deal for the United States, which saw growing ties between China and Italy as potentially damaging to Italy’s relations with the European Union. This troubled many of Italy’s allies, including the EU. My relationship with Rome.
Yet, five years later, Italy still has unmet expectations. China’s exports to Italy increased by 17 billion euros, but Italy’s exports to China increased by only 4 billion euros. Despite infrastructure development sponsored by the Asian giant, it soon became clear that Italy was in trouble. Given Italy’s reputation as one of the most debt-ridden countries in the EU, the growing trade deficit with China has changed the minds of policymakers.
Italy’s economic disadvantage was not the only reason for its withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative. Europe is moving away from trade with China. The European Commission launched an investigation into China’s electric vehicle exports in September 2023. Pressured by the economic realities of the trade partnership, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni not only withdrew from the agreement, but also began to steer Italy back into the West by reaffirming Italy’s commitment to the North Atlantic. Treaty Organization (NATO). Meloni’s main goals are to support Ukraine’s efforts and improve Italy’s transatlantic relations. In her view, closer ties with China were a hindrance to this goal, especially if the economic benefits were not sufficient to justify the alliance.
As a result of Italy’s reorientation, it moved closer to the West, and the United States launched efforts focused on trade with regional partners, promising growth for all involved. With this in mind, the United States must continue to reach out to Italy. Not only because Italy should not take its Mediterranean and European allies for granted, but also because this move essentially shines a light on Italy’s leadership. After years of expressing neutrality on tensions between China and the United States, Italy’s withdrawal from Belt and Road is more important to the United States than to closer ties with its fiercest geopolitical competitor. This is an opportunity to prove why it is more beneficial.
Additionally, the United States must authoritatively demonstrate to other countries in the region why the security and economic prosperity it provides remains unparalleled. Italy can be used as a case study to symbolize regional grievances. Italy’s actions can also be seen as an opportunity for the United States in another sense.
Its dominant position in the Mediterranean provides unparalleled access to vital waterways and remains an essential ally of the United States. Therefore, the stronger the ties between the two countries, the better. Washington and his regional partners now see an opportune time to reinvigorate strategic ties with Rome, if necessary.
Juan P. Villasmil He is the Intercollegiate Studies Institute Editor for The Spectator World. He is also a Young Voices contributor. His Twitter account is @RealJPVillasmil.
Niccolo Comini is a political science student at Kenyon College. He often writes about Italian politics and foreign affairs.
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