Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reportedly conveyed to Chinese Premier Li Qiang in a private meeting during the G-20 summit in India that Italy is considering withdrawing from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a significant investment pact closely watched in the context of Italy’s relations with the United States. Italy initially signed onto the BRI in 2019.
While Meloni discussed the BRI with Li, she refrained from making a definitive announcement on Italy’s withdrawal during a subsequent press conference. Her approach has been cautious, as she is concerned about potential trade repercussions following such a decision. Meloni had previously informed her allies about her intent to withdraw from the BRI several months earlier.
The Italian Prime Minister’s message to the Chinese Premier was initially reported by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. Notably, the official statements released after the meeting between the two leaders did not mention the BRI.
“Belt and Road is not the only element that builds our bilateral relationship with China,” she said, adding that other European nations had been able to negotiate better relationships with Beijing without signing up to the initiative.
Meloni has announced her plans to visit China in the near future, recognizing the sensitivity of the issue, especially since China’s ambassador to Italy had cautioned of “negative consequences” if Italy were to exit the agreement. This visit aligns with Italy’s broader efforts to engage with China on multiple fronts, including culture, economics, and science.
During their meeting, Li Qiang emphasized the importance of Italy providing a “fair, just, and non-discriminatory” environment for Chinese businesses while pledging to expand market access for Italian products, as reported by Xinhua News Agency. The Belt and Road Initiative, initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping a decade ago, aims to strengthen economic connections and increase China’s global influence.