ROME (AP) — Italy's coalition government appears undecided over whether it will sign an agreement with China endorsing its "Belt and Road" infrastructure investment drive, amid pressure from the U.S. to stand down.

Guglielmo Picchi, undersecretary of state in the foreign ministry, said in a tweet Wednesday that further reflection was needed before signing the proposed agreement.

Another undersecretary in the economic development ministry, Michele Geraci, told the Financial Times and the New York Times that while the negotiations aren't over, it was possible that the deal could be signed when Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Italy later this month.

China's trillion-dollar "Belt and Road" initiative aims to expand commerce by building ports, railways and other infrastructure across 65 countries through Asia to Europe and Africa.