Melons in China: trade agreements and meeting with Xi Jinping, but harsh response to the EU on information

A three-year action plan to "relaunch" bilateral cooperation opens a "new phase" in relations between Rome and Beijing: Giorgia Meloni Reconnect with the China after the tear for the exit from Italy from Silk Road and at the same time underlines the importance of "making trade relations increasingly fair and advantageous for all" and the need to play "according to the rules, to ensure that all companies can operate on international markets on equal terms". The Italian Prime Minister receives the "support" of the Chinese Prime Minister, Li Qiang who evokes "the spirit" of the Belt and Road Initiative (“it would have ensured peace, cooperation and inclusiveness”) in reiterating the opportunity to bring cooperation between the two countries to “new levels”.

Melons in China: the mission until Wednesday

The Prime Minister - on a mission to China until Wednesday - is welcomed by the Chinese Prime Minister in the great Hall of the People, an enormous monolith-building, a labyrinth of rooms surrounded by lights and paintings, the seat of legislative and ceremonial activities a few steps from the square Tiananmen. During the meeting with the Chinese prime minister, Meloni announces the signing of the Action plan 2024-2027 for the relaunch of relations between Italy and China in strategic and industrial areas such as "electric mobility and renewables", he explains. The range of agreements also covers trade, investments, agriculture and food safety, research and training, environment, fight against organized crime.

Melons in China: the issue of EU duties against Beijing's biodiesel

But the Prime Minister's trip to China fits into a very specific context: the first ones will come into force from 16 August European duties against Beijing biodiesel, also by virtue of one de-risking strategy inaugurated by president of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen. And it is a context in which the Old Continent and the Asian giant have never been so distant from a commercial point of view. Not all 27 are actually on this line: France e Germany they have poorly digested the EU anti-dumping measures but von der Leyen's confirmation has disappointed the expectations of those hoping for a softening of the EU strategy towards China.

The starting point of the de-risking doctrine inaugurated by von der Leyen is the loss of competitiveness of Brussels compared to the American and Chinese giants. This will be it, and von der Leyen reiterated it in his inaugural speech, one of the emergencies that the new Commission will address as a priority. Half September Mario Draghi's report will indicate one of the possible ways to follow: but one of these seems to have already been drawn up and necessarily involves anti-dumping measures against Chinese companies which, with state cover, sell products necessary to the EU. But in recent months Beijing will try to exploit its main ally in Europe:Hungary, who is also the rotating president. Budapest, while the EU tries to distance itself from Beijing, has opened the doors to Xi Jinping and direct investments from the Dragon. Viktor Orban's last mission in Beijing it has established a relationship that for China is increasingly geopolitical.

Meloni, harsh response to the EU on freedom of information

After Annual report on the rule of law of the European Union there were “clumsy and specious attacks” with “fake news” against the Italian government. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote it in one very harsh letter addressed to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

“A few days ago, as has happened every year since 2020, the European Commission published the Annual Report on the rule of law of the European Union – wrote Meloni – This is a periodic exercise, carried out in constant dialogue with the 27 Member States, supported and encouraged by the Italian Government as a useful tool for monitoring compliance with the founding principles and values ​​of the EU".

“Well, this year too the final recommendations towards Italy do not differ particularly from those of previous years, however for the first time the content of this document has been distorted for political use by some in an attempt to attack the Italian Government. Some even went so far as to argue that in Italy it would be the rule of law is at risk, in particular with reference to freedom of information and public service broadcasting", continued the Prime Minister.

“It is therefore about clumsy and specious attacks which can only take hold in the desolate context of the recurring use of fake news which increasingly pollutes the debate in Europe. It is regrettable that not even the Commission's Report on the rule of law and in particular on freedom of information on the public service broadcasting was spared by the professionals of disinformation and mystification,” he added.