Duties, relations with Beijing decisive. Here is what the Italy-China partnership provides for

The trade war between the United States and China, with Donald Trump's aut aut aut to the rest of the world (isolate the Dragon or suffer American duties), opens a reflection in many countries, probably including Italy. Which after leaving the New Silk Road relaunched, less than a year ago, the strategic partnership with Beijing.

The partnership with China, which was signed in 2004, was renewed by the Italian Prime Minister in July last year during her first mission to Beijing. On that occasion, the Prime Minister signed a three-year action plan to strengthen bilateral cooperation across the board. Aiming, among other things, at reinstating annual meetings between prime ministers, rebalancing trade relations and tightening cooperation in various fields, from culture to tourism via twinning of mutual UNESCO sites, from health to food safety and sustainable development.

The 2024-2027 memorandum states that the two countries are committed to 'maintaining the momentum of their bilateral relations, also in the spirit of the ancient Silk Road', to 'strengthening mutual trust' also in China-EU relations, including the 'dialogue on human rights'. Although the first commitment, at bilateral and EU level, remains to rebalance trade relations, ensuring 'a level playing field for respective companies'. Furthermore, it is emphasised that the EU and China must oppose 'protectionism and unilateralism, managing trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, in accordance with the mechanisms provided by the World Trade Organisation'.

Just on trade, there is an indication to promote 'open, inclusive, balanced and win-win economic globalisation, trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation' as well as to 'strengthen discussions on investment facilitation, digital trade, and trade-environment'. Other topics include market access and copyright. In this area, Rome and Beijing are aiming at the mutual support of enterprises (involving Ice and chambers of commerce) and the 'rebalancing of trade', which should be 'intensified', also by enhancing the role of the business forum. Then again, 'improving market access', also for e-commerce, by eliminating 'non-tariff barriers'.