US warns Italy against joining China's new Silk Road project

The United States has warned Italy against supporting China's global economic effort, called the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), denouncing the infrastructure plan as a “vanity project.”

In a thinly veiled rebuke of the initiative, which aims to unite European and Asian markets, a spokesman for the White House’s group of national security advisers said on Saturday that Italy’s participation in the BRI would add “legitimacy” to Beijing’s infrastructure project.

“Italy is a major global economy and great investment destination. No need for Italian government to lend legitimacy to China’s infrastructure vanity project,” spokesman Garrett Marquis said on Twitter.

Italy’s intention to pull itself out of an economic recession that has gripped countries in southern Europe signals an upset for the US and the administration in Washington, which has been actively seeking to curb China's global influence.
The Saturday tweet came after Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he might sign an accord with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month, despite reports that Washington was concerned at the prospect of Italy joining the venture.

“With all the necessary precautions, Italy’s accession to a new silk route represents an opportunity for our country,” Conte said on Friday, noting that participation in China’s trade master plan would be up for discussion during Xi’s upcoming visit to Italy.

The Chinese president is due to travel to Italy from March 22 to 24. Conte has pointed out that Rome and Beijing will seek a framework deal during the state visit.

The Italian premier has also announced his plans to attend a BRI summit in China in April.

EA