The plans of the Italian authorities became known during the conversation between the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgi Meloni, and the president of the lower house of the US Congress, Kevin McCarthy. “Meloni assured McCarthy during a meeting in Rome last week that his government, despite the absence of a final decision at this time, is in favor of withdrawing from China’s huge Belt and Road Initiative,” he reported. Bloomberg, citing his sources.
The agency’s interlocutors, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that Rome’s intentions are connected with pressure from the United States, which in every possible way pushes the Italians to such a decision. At the same time, those close to Meloni have not yet decided on the “details and timing” of the exit of the Chinese project.
It should be noted that the Italian authorities fear that their potential management will result in a corresponding response from China. Bloomberg sources say that the Italians take into account the important activity of Chinese investors in the Apennines, which Rome does not want to lose.
