PM Meloni’s upcoming visit to China aims to alleviate tensions post-BRI exit and bolster strategic partnerships. Her diplomatic efforts come amid rising EU-China trade tensions and the need for a balanced approach in Brussels
Meloni’s Beijing mission. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will visit China at the end of this month, marking a significant diplomatic engagement with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
- The visit follows the recent internal Third Plenum meeting in China, where Xi renewed his political and administrative guidelines.
- Meloni’s trip will be the first by a European leader to Beijing since the new European Commission was voted in, a process she controversially did not support.
- Italy and China are looking to strengthen their strategic partnership, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
- This comes after the recent visit by Adolfo Urso, Minister of Business, to Beijing. President Sergio Mattarella is also scheduled to visit China in October to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death.
Balancing on a trade tightrope. A key focus of Mteloni’s visit will be navigating the aftermath of Italy’s exit from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- This move, which Meloni fulfilled as a campaign promise, was executed at the end of last year. The Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 under Giuseppe Conte’s government was not renewed, citing the lack of substantive economic benefits and the growing trade deficit with China.
- Noah Barkin, senior advisor at the Rhodium Group and visiting senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, highlighted the delicate balance Meloni must strike in Beijing for our sister website Formiche.net.
- “Meloni will want to ease tensions with China over Italy’s exit from the BRI, open markets for Italian companies, and attract Chinese investments. However, she must also ensure Italy does not drift too far from the de-risking agenda being pursued in Brussels,” explained Barkin.
Meloni’s diplomatic dance. The broader context of EU-China relations is characterised by increasing trade tensions, with Europe striving to manage these without escalating into a trade war.
- Barkin emphasised the importance of Meloni supporting the European Commission’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports. He also noted the need for Meloni to convey concern to the Chinese leadership over its support for Russia, especially following G7 and NATO’s condemnation of China’s role in the Ukraine conflict.
- Additionally, Barkin outlined how China will use incentives and threats to sway European countries from Ursula von der Leyen’s tougher approach. Italy’s role is crucial in maintaining a united European front.
- Meloni’s visit comes at a time when both Germany and France appear weak on the international stage. Furthermore, as the US presidential elections approach, additional pressure will be placed on Europe to develop an independent yet compatible approach to managing relations with China.
