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Italian deputy PM discusses autos with China amid EU tensions

During an interview with the state news agency Xinhua in Italy, the deputy prime minister praised the cooperation between Italy and China in the automotive industry. Beijing is under scrutiny by the European Union for providing unfair subsidies to their carmakers.

In an interview published Friday, Matteo Salvini - who is also Italy’s transport minister - said that "the two countries have broad prospects for cooperating in automobiles and smart roads, as well as other transport areas."

During a trip to China, he said: "While we work to increase train speeds to 300km per hour China is already exploring the possibility of 400, 450, and even 500km per hour while also advancing autonomous driving, artificial intelligent, and innovation."

Italy, despite voting for the European Commission 2024 decision on tariffs against Chinese electric vehicles has always tried to remain in Beijing's good graces - constantly praising the merits and investments of Chinese companies in Europe.

Giorgia Mello, the Italian Prime Minister, managed to improve relations with Beijing by keeping the door wide open for more Chinese investment during a July visit, despite the fact that she had announced the third largest economy in the eurozone would be leaving President Xi Jinping’s flagship 'Belt and Road Infrastructure Initiative'.

Salvini told Xinhua he sees "great potential" for infrastructure development.

Analysts attribute the trade tensions between China and the European Commission (which handles the trade policy of the 27-strong EU) to Brussels' decision imposing import tariffs in order to deter a flood cheap Chinese electric cars.

Beijing has responded by imposing anti-dumping duty on European brandy and pork, as well as by investigating its dairy sector. (Reporting and editing by Lincoln Feast; Reporting by Joe Cash)

(source: Reuters)