Italian government’s China expert urges EU to make it easier for member states to deal with China
- Michele Geraci, head of Italy’s China task force, says changing rules will help people see the benefits of trading with China
- Former academic was credited as driving force behind Italy’s recent decision to sign up for the Belt and Road Initiative
The European Union should adapt its trade policy to make it easier for member countries to conduct business with China, according to an Italian government minister.
Michele Geraci, undersecretary of state at Italy’s Ministry of Economic Development, said the European Commission should take into account the trading interests of individual countries in crafting the bloc’s common policy.
“We will make sure that the European trade policy, not just with China but with the rest of our partners, is more analysed on a country-by-country level,” said Geraci, who spent years working in China as an academic before entering government.
“When they discuss trade policy with, let’s say China, the goal is to maximise the benefit for Europe as a whole because Europe is a single market.
“This is good, but we also want to add an analysis on a country by country level … because only then will the citizens of Europe see clearly the potential for trade with China.”
Italy was the first Western European nation to sign up for China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative when Chinese President Xi Jinping made a high profile visit to Europe in March, and its support for the trade and investment scheme has greatly bolstered ties between Rome and Beijing.