Italy to Withdraw from China's Belt and Road Initiative Amid Strained Relations

Italy has indicated to the US that it plans to withdraw from China's Belt and Road Initiative before the end of the year, according to sources. While a final decision has not been made, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has reportedly expressed a preference for exiting the deal. Italy signed onto the infrastructure initiative in 2019, becoming the only G7 country to do so. The US has been pressuring Rome to take a public stance on the issue and ditch the pact.