US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Italy on Wednesday of China’s “predatory approach” to trade and investment, but Rome insisted its special powers over 5G supply deals would protect it.
“China has a predatory approach in trade and investment” and represents a “mutual threat” to the two countries, Pompeo said during a joint press conference with Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.
“When the Chinese Communist party shows up to make an investment to gain political power or threaten a nation’s security, that’s what needs to be protected against,” he said.
But Di Maio said Rome’s so-called “golden powers” in supply deals for fifth-generation (5G) telecom services, approved by the government in September, “make us among the most advanced in Europe on security”.