Italy Regrets Joining China's Belt and Road Initiative

Italy's decision to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) four years ago was described as "improvised and atrocious" by Italian Defence Minister Crosetto, as it failed to boost Italian exports to China while increasing Chinese exports to Italy. The current administration is considering how to break free from the agreement without damaging relations with Beijing. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that Italy has until December to make a decision on the BRI and emphasized that good relations and trading partnerships can exist outside of the initiative.