At the China-Italy Business and Dialogue Forum in Italy last Friday, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao criticized the European Commission's recent actions against Chinese green products, including electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, and wind turbines, calling them "trade protectionist" and a "double standard."

After many months of hints that it would do so, Italy has now told China that it plans to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani visited China this week, and issues related to bilateral trade and the Beijing-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) were among the topics discussed.

Recent news reports suggest that Italy is considering leaving the BRI, and will make a final decision by the end of the year. This move may be mainly symbolic though, with limited economic impact, just as the original decision by Italy to join the BRI was.

A new MERICS piece by analysts Rebecca Arcesati and Francesca Ghiretti discusses how the Italian government has used its existing power for foreign investment screening to block certain transactions with a China connection, and also notes that it may establish "a new unit within the cabinet of the prime

On October 26, China’s General Administration of Customs issued a notice [http://www.customs.gov.cn/customs/302249/2480148/3969244/index.html] (link in Chinese) setting forth SPS requirements for imports of beef from Italy. The notice takes effect immediately. The notice sets forth details on SPS requirements for