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© 2 0 1 9 I A I I A I P A P E R S 1 9 | 0 5 M A R C H 2 0 1 9 I S S N 2 6 1 0 9 6 0 3 | I S B N 9 7 8 8 8 9 3 6 8 0 9 7 4
Rome-Beijing: Changing the Game
Italy’s Embrace of China’s ConnectivityProject, Implications for the EU and the US
by Nicola Casarini
ABSTRACT
Italy wants to be the first G7 nation to sign a Memorandumof Understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative, China’smassive infrastructure and connectivity project. Through theMemorandum, Italy seeks more market access in China forItalian companies and “Made in Italy” products, as well as moreChinese investments in Italy under the Initiative framework.Besides commercial considerations, there are importantgeo-strategic implications to consider. Italy’s endorsementof Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policyinitiative undermines European Union efforts at finding acommon stance vis-à-vis Beijing. It also weakens the positionof the United States in its tug-of-war with China over tradeand global leadership. Remarkably, it is Italian populists inpower in Rome – though there are differences between thetwo coalition partners – who are willing to defy their mentorin the White House by helping China drive a wedge in theEuro-Atlantic alliance.
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Introduction
The announcement by Giuseppe Conte, Italy’s Prime Minister, that Italy could sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) –China’s massive infrastructure and connectivity project – during the state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Rome on 22 March 2019 has caused alarm in Washington and uneasiness in Brussels, Berlin, and Paris, as it occurs on the same day as an important European Council (scheduled for 21–22 March) that seeks to fashion a common approach towards China.
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Italy’s interest in establishing closer ties with Beijing is not new. Paolo Gentiloni, Italy’s former Prime Minister, attended the first Belt and Road Forum in Beijing inMay 2017 – the only leader of a G7 country to do so.An MoU of this sort is usually a 3- or 4-page document. The language is intentionally vague, simply stating support for the Chinese initiative. The document is non-binding and outlines a framework for cooperation between China and the concerned country in various areas, including trade and infrastructure projects(numerous countries and international organizations have already endorsed similar documents with China). The MoU that Italy is considering signing also contains clear language consistent with Western norms and principles.
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European Commission and European External Action Service (EEAS),
EU-China - AStrategic Outlook
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For the draft text of the China-Italy Memorandum of Understanding, see “Via della Seta, il testodell’intesa tra l’Italia e la Cina: la versione inglese e la traduzione in italiano”, in
Corriere della Sera
- More: https://www.academia.edu/38734456/Rome-Beijing_Changing_the_Game._Italys_Embrace_of_Chinas_Connectivity_Project_Implications_for_the_EU_and_the_US?email_work_card=thumbnail
Nicola Casarini is Senior Fellow at the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI).
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Paper prepared for the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), March 2019.