Italy wants more trade with China, but leaves BRI
Listen to the story (Filipino accent)
Italy has decided to leave China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, Italy's leader, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, said that the country can make its trading and economic connections with China better.
Meloni talked about working with China on trade and the economy in the future, because the BRI didn't have good results.
In 2019, Italy became the first big Western country to join the BRI. But last year, when Meloni became the leader, she said she wanted Italy to leave it.
The agreement between Italy and China from 2019 ends in March 2024. Italy recently told China they won't renew it. China's leaders said the BRI is a good program that helps many countries. They didn't agree with Italy's decision and said it was unfair to criticize the BRI.
Italy says other G7 countries have better relationships with China, even though they didn't join the BRI. Italy will be in charge of the G7 in 2024.
Since 2013, more than 100 countries have worked with China on BRI projects. In 2022, Italy sold €16.4 billion of exports to China. In 2019, it was €13 billion. But, in 2022, China sold €57.5 billion, up from €31.7 billion in 2019.
France and Germany are not part of the BRI, but they sold more to China last year.
Even though Italy is leaving the BRI, they still want to be friendly with China. Meloni wants to visit China, but they haven't decided when yet.
Vocabulary20 words
- Leave
- to go away or stop being a part of something;
- Leader
- someone who is in charge of a group, organization or country; a boss or manager; a person who guides, directs, or commands a group
- Prime Minister
- the head or leader of an elected government of a country
- Trade
- when people buy, sell, or exchange goods or services
- Economic
- related to or connected to the economy, business and money
- Connection
- a link or relationship between things or people
- Economy
- the system according to which the money, industry, businesses and trade of a country/region are organized; the supply of money, production of goods and purchase of goods; the flow of money between people, businesses and government
- Result
- outcome; findings; conclusion; answer;
- The West
- usually means non-communist countries in Europe, North America, and Oceania
- Agreement
- an understanding, plan or contract made between two or more people/groups
- Renew
- to increase the period of time that something can be used or is in effect; to replace something old
- Program
- project; initiative; a group of activities or things to be achieved; a plan with many parts
- Decision
- a choice that you make about something after thinking about several possibilities/options; choice; ruling;
- Criticize
- to judge; to find mistakes or problems with something; to complain or say bad things about
- G7
- a group of seven major countries that work together on global issues
- Relationship
- The way two people or things are connected to each other; connection; the way in which two or more people feel and behave towards each other
- Even though
- although; despite the fact that; a phrase used to show a contrast or contradiction between two things;
- In charge
- To be responsible for or in control of something; to be the “boss” of something
- Billion
- 1,000,000,000 = one-billion
- Exports
- goods or products sent to another country to be sold
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Italy has _____ to leave China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). _____, Italy's leader, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, said that the country can _____ its trading and economic connections with China better.
Meloni talked about _____ with China on trade and the economy in the future, because the BRI didn't have good _____.
In 2019, Italy _____ the first big Western country to join the BRI. But last year, when Meloni became the _____, she said she wanted Italy to leave it.
The _____ between Italy and China from 2019 ends in March _____. Italy recently told China they won't renew it. China's leaders _____ the BRI is a good program that helps many countries. They _____ agree with Italy's decision and said it was unfair to _____ the BRI.
Italy says other G7 countries have _____ relationships with China, even though they didn't _____ the BRI. Italy will be in charge of the G7 in _____.
Since 2013, more than _____ countries have worked with China on BRI projects. In 2022, Italy _____ €16.4 billion of exports to China. In 2019, it was €_____ billion. But, in 2022, China sold €57.5 billion, up from €31.7 billion in _____.
France and Germany are not _____ of the BRI, but they sold _____ to China last year.
Even though Italy is _____ the BRI, they still want to be friendly with China. Meloni wants to _____ China, but they haven't decided when _____.
Discussion questions
- Do you agree with Italy's decision to improve trade and economic connections with China outside the BRI?
- Do you think Italy's decision will affect its relationship with China?
- Do you think other countries will follow Italy's lead and leave the BRI?
- Why do you think other G7 countries have good relationships with China even though they didn't join the BRI?
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