The Italian government under prime minister Giorgia Meloni is considering not renewing a transport agreement with China signed in 2019. The trade agreement was introduced during Giuseppe Conte's government with the intention of promoting Italian products and increasing exports. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provides for automatic renewal unless terminated by either party by 30th November 2023. Despite Italy being a member of the Belt and Road Initiative, most of China's investment in Europe has gone to four other countries, including Germany, which is not a member of the initiative. Meloni has announced a final decision before December 2023, and promised an upcoming trip to Beijing. For its part, the Chinese government has stressed that the initiative is in both country's mutual interest.
