“The stronger presence of Chinese investors in Italy is considered a serious concern both in Europe and in the US, as Italy is seen as a possible Trojan horse for Chinese interests in the EU – especially after Italy signed in 2019 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The decoupling of the US economy from China may also influence Sino-Italian relations, as trade and investment in technology could be limited by eventual American sanctions. Italy’s room to manoeuvre will depend then on how the US-China relations will evolve.”

An excerpt written by Giuseppe Gabusi (T.wai & University of Torino) and Giorgio Prodi (T.wai & University of Ferrara) included in “Italy After COVID-19”, a forthcoming book edited by Andrea Goldstein and Giorgio Bellettini (Bononia University Press).

Giuseppe Gabusi

Head of Program

Giuseppe Gabusi is Head of T.wai’s Asia Prospects Program and an Assistant Professor of International Political Economy and Political Economy of East Asia at the University of Torino.