Italy is facing a difficult choice: how to withdraw from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) without harming its relations with Beijing. The BRI is a massive infrastructure project that aims to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa through trade and investment. However, critics see it as a tool for China to spread its geopolitical and economic influence.
Italy joined the BRI in 2019, becoming the first G7 country to do so. The announcement came during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Rome, and made Italy the only major Western country to formally adhere to China’s signature trade and connectivity project.
The decision was made by the previous government led by Giuseppe Conte, who signed a memorandum of understanding with China in 2019. Conte argued that joining the BRI would boost Italy’s exports, create jobs, and attract Chinese investments.
However, the current government, led by Mario Draghi, has a different view. Draghi has said that Italy is more aligned with its European and NATO allies, and is committed to defending democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Italy’s defence minister, Guido Crosetto, has been even more vocal in his criticism of the BRI deal. In an interview with Corriere della Sera newspaper on Sunday, he said that joining the BRI was an “improvised and atrocious” decision that damaged Italy’s national interests and reputation.
Crosetto claimed that the BRI deal was not transparent, did not bring any concrete benefits to Italy, and exposed Italy to security risks and political pressure from China. He said that China was the only winner of the deal, as its exports to Italy had soared, while Italy’s exports to China had not increased.
Crosetto also voiced concerns about China’s “increasingly assertive attitudes”, its ambition to have the largest military presence in the world, and its expansion plans in Africa. He said that China did not hide its goals, but made them explicit.
Crosetto said that Italy now needs to work out how to get out of the deal without damaging ties with Beijing. He said that China was a competitor, but also a partner. He said that Italy would have to think about how to withdraw “without producing disasters”.
Italy has until December this year to make a formal request to withdraw from the BRI, otherwise it will be automatically renewed in March 2024. Prime Minister Draghi has said that he wants talks with China about possibly renegotiating the deal. He also announced that he would soon travel to Beijing.
China has reacted with displeasure to Italy’s change of stance. China’s foreign ministry has said that it believes “China and Italy should further explore their cooperation potential” under the BRI and “strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation to seek more fruitful cooperation results”.
China has also launched a diplomatic campaign to try to persuade Italy to renew the deal by sending senior officials to the country to lobby its case. China has faced criticism from many countries for its BRI projects, which are accused of being debt traps, environmental hazards, and geopolitical tools.