2023-07-23 20:07:50
ROME (Archyde.com) – Italian Prime Minister Meloni, who will visit the White House on Tuesday, said on Tuesday that U.S. President Joe Biden had never questioned her regarding Italy’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The Belt and Road Initiative envisions rebuilding the ancient Silk Road, linking China to Asia, Europe and beyond, by spending huge amounts of money on infrastructure. Italy is the only major Western country participating in the plan.
“The president of the United States has never raised this issue directly with me,” Giorgia Meloni told a news conference following an international conference on immigration in Rome.
Italy faced criticism from Washington and Brussels following former prime minister Giuseppe Conte signed the agreement in 2019. When this contract expires early next year, the possibility of Roma continuing to participate in the project is extremely low.
Italy’s total exports to China reached 16.4 billion euros (approximately NT$554.3 billion) last year and 13 billion euros in 2019. In contrast, China’s total exports to Italy increased from 31.7 billion euros to 57.5 billion euros during the same period. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said last month that Italy’s participation in the Belt and Road project had not brought much benefit. Central News Agency (Translation)
Italy’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative Meloni: Biden never directly questioned
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