Italy's Decision To Join China's BRI Was 'Atrocious', Says Defence Minister

Italy's decision to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) four years ago was "improvised and atrocious" as there was no boost to the exports, said Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto during an interview on Sunday. He said that with no improvement in exports, China was the only winner of the deal.

Italy signed up to the BRI under a previous government, becoming the only major Western country to have taken such a step. The country was largely criticised for its move by its Western allies. Crosetto is part of an administration that is considering how to break free of the agreement.

"The decision to join the (new) Silk Road was an improvised and atrocious act" that multiplied China's exports to Italy but did not have the same effect on Italian exports to China, Crosetto told the Corriere della Sera newspaper, adding, "The issue today is: how to walk back [from the BRI] without damaging relations [with Beijing]. Because it is true that China is a competitor, but it is also a partner."

After a White House meeting with US President Joe Biden on Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her government was still deliberating on the BRI and announced a trip to Beijing in the near future, according to a report by Reuters. 

The BRI scheme envisions rebuilding the old Silk Road to connect China with Asia, Europe and beyond with large infrastructure spending. Critics see it as a tool for China to spread its geopolitical and economic influence.