“After 5 centuries, Asia is becoming the world’s center of reproduction, technology, innovation and trade. While the Western world is losing its central position, we see that the center of gravity of world politics is shifting to the east. Naturally, these developments increase the interest in Asia as well as the competition.”
To this interest and competition expressed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan; The power struggle of China and the USA in world politics is effective.
ALKU Lecturer Diren Doğan makes the following assessment regarding competition:
At this point, the Chinese influence in critical infrastructures and the fact that China’s economic power has surrounded the whole world has some unrest in these countries. At this point, in the future conjuncture, we will see that the world will be caught between the US’s emphasis on the one hand and the commercial advantages of China on the other.
Italy plans to withdraw from agreement with China
According to experts, Italy is one of the first countries to support China’s Silk Road project; With the influence of the USA, it is trying to move away from the Beijing axis.
Contrary to his predecessors, Giorgia Meloni, who became the prime minister of Italy in 2022, is giving signals of change in his country’s China policy.
Diren Doğan “Meloni’s statements before he came to power were actually aimed at keeping a distance from China.” said.
Meloni does not hesitate to express the view that trade with China is against her country.
The Roman administration took a step that stretched the ropes with China by addressing Taiwan’s representative in Italy, with which it established a friendship group by increasing diplomatic relations, as “Ambassador”.
Prime Minister Meloni also pointed to December as the date of departure from the Silk Road in his meeting with US President Biden.
If Rome does not request an official withdrawal by this date, the project will be automatically renewed.
“Italy’s departure will open more space for Turkey in the Mediterranean”
Türkiye is in the position of the most advantageous country in this changing global balance.
Strategies of Italy and Greece with the USA. The US is causing these countries to withdraw from China due to the Chinese threat. At this point, when we think about the region, especially when we think about the Mediterranean basin, of course, a little more space is opened for Turkey.
Diren Doğan ALKU Lecturer
While two of the three trade routes created by China to transport products to Europe lose their functionality, the importance of the middle corridor passing through Turkey is increasing.
In fact, we can say that a sun is rising on the ‘Middle Corridor’ now. This is a place where Turkey was included, especially in 2015. We are talking about a place where Turkey acts as a locomotive. It is a very important point with a trade volume of up to 600 billion dollars.
Diren Doğan ALKU Lecturer
The Beijing administration, on the other hand, is concerned that the withdrawal of Italy from the project will create a domino effect and the Silk Road project will be blocked.