Publication

Italy wants to be the first G7 country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on China´s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This publication contends that by doing so, the Italian government hopes to obtain three things: 1) more market access in China for Italian companies and products; 2) more Chinese investments in Italy, and 3) a commitment by China to buy Italian bonds even in a time of turbulent international markets. However, the text's author contends that by endorsing the BRI, Italy may help China drive a wedge in the Euro-Atlantic alliance, undermine a common EU approach towards Beijing and more.