The Italian government has announced to end its participation in the Chinese Belt and Road Project. Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni stated that the agreement had “not produced the expected results”, reiterating that despite leaving the initiative, Italy still could improve its economic relations with China.
Italy had joined the Belt and Road in 2019, being the first and so far the only major Western economy.
UWI author Fabrizio Verde commented in an interview with Tolga Dişçi on Italy’s reasons to exit the initiative.
What are the main reasons that led Italy to leave BRI? Do you think is there any effect of US pressures?
Italy’s decision to exit the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), taken by the government of the fake ‘sovereignist’ Giorgia Meloni, was influenced by a combination of factors, with the primary one being the impact of U.S. pressures. The United States had expressed concerns and reservations about Italy’s participation in the BRI, particularly its alignment with China’s strategic interests and the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt.
The U.S. government, not comfortable with Italy’s involvement in the BRI, applied diplomatic and economic pressures on Italy to reconsider its position. This pressure could have manifested through diplomatic channels, trade considerations, or other forms of strategic persuasion.
While Italy initially saw undoubted benefits and economic opportunities in participating in the BRI, the influence and concerns raised by the United States clearly played a pivotal role in Italy’s decision to distance itself from the initiative. The U.S. government’s unease with the broader geopolitical implications of the BRI and China’s expanding influence likely contributed to Italy reevaluating its stance and ultimately withdrawing from the agreement.
In summary, the exit of Italy from the BRI can be attributed to the impact of U.S. pressures and concerns regarding the strategic implications of adhesion with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Is this decision harmful or helpful for Italy and EU? What will be the main results of the decision?
The decision by Italy to leave from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is widely viewed as potentially harmful, not only for Italy but also for the European Union (EU) as a whole. Italy, with its rich millennia-long history and strategic position at the heart of the Mediterranean, had the potential to play a crucial role in the emerging multipolar world. However, the choice to distance itself from the BRI and align more closely with the traditional Western order, particularly the declining United States, goes against the logic of leveraging its historical and geopolitical advantages.
Italy stands to lose significant economic opportunities that could have arisen from participating in the BRI, such as infrastructure development, increased trade, and enhanced connectivity with Asia. The decision may also affect Italy’s global standing and influence, limiting its role in shaping the geopolitical landscape.
The main results of Italy’s decision could include a missed chance for economic growth, decreased influence in the evolving global order. Overall, the decision is perceived as a step away from the potential benefits of a multipolar world and towards a continuation of the old order led by the United States and its Western vassals, a course that may not align with the evolving dynamics of global power.