Economics

Italy’s China Chill Runs Deeper Than Fears Over the Coronavirus

Exports to China fell last year even after landmark accord
Resistance growing in Italy to Huawei and other investments

Xi Jinping, right, and Giuseppe Conte arrive for the signing of the memorandum of understanding on China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Rome, on March 23.Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg

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By Alan Crawford

February 27, 2020 at 12:01 AM UTC

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Almost a year after Italy broke with its U.S. and European partners to sign up to China’s influence-extending Belt and Road initiative, relations between Rome and Beijing risk deteriorating rather than getting closer.