Italy's shift towards China: Historical perspective on economic relations  

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently visited Beijing, where she inaugurated an exhibition honoring Marco Polo, the Venetian explorer who connected Europe and China in the late 13th century.

Meloni expressed her intention to foster economic ties between Italy and China, particularly seeking investments from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers and hoping to increase Italian exports to China, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

This approach marks a departure from the hardline stance toward China increasingly adopted by European leaders.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously emphasized the need for Europe to avoid dependency on China for technology, similar to the past reliance on Russian gas, by imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and restricting semiconductor machine sales.

However, some European nations, notably Germany and Hungary, are pushing back against these hardline policies due to concerns over access to the Chinese market. Italy, after initially supporting the hardline stance and retracting from the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, seems to be shifting its position under Meloni, who now aims to collaborate with Chinese automotive companies.

Before her trip to Beijing, Minister of Made in Italy Adolfo D’Urso engaged with Chery, a major Chinese car manufacturer, to encourage investment in Italy. Following Meloni's visit, Italian companies are already sealing deals, such as Stellantis forming a partnership with Chinese startup Leapmotor and EuroGroup Laminations launching a joint venture in China.

As Meloni seeks to bridge the trade deficit with China, she maintains vocal criticism of China's support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, standing firm on her pro-Western and pro-NATO policies. This stance sets her apart from the likes of Hungary's Viktor Orban, who is aligned with China and Russia.

The overall impact of Italy's shift on European Union policy remains uncertain. The EU is considering further tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, with significant support among member states for these measures.

While Meloni attempts to ease tensions with China, her efforts may pale in comparison to Marco Polo's historical influence, which shaped European perceptions of China for generations.