Bloomberg: Meloni wants to limit China's presence in companies to avoid tensions with the US
The government's efforts would involve both private and investee companies, such as Pirelli and Cdp Reti
1' min read
1' min read
The Italian government is considering putting a brake on Chinese investors' holdings in Italian companies considered strategic in order to avoid tensions with the United States. This is what the Blomberg agency reports, citing sources familiar with the dossier. The government's efforts would involve both private and investee companies, such as - it is explained - Pirelli and Cdp Reti. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said that 'investment cooperation between Italy and China brings mutual benefits' and the hope is that Italy will continue to guarantee fair treatment for Chinese companies.
The Pirelli case
In the case of Pirelli, in particular, the initial alliance signed with the Chinese in 2015 saw as a partner ChemChina, a state-owned company but independent in the management of the investment from the agencies of the Chinese Communist Party, unlike Sinochem, the partner that took over in 2021 following a merger. In the past, attempts to interfere in the management and governance of the Bicocca group, whose technologies were recognised as strategic by the government with the Golden Power intervention in 2023 to defend them and protect the management's independence, have already emerged. Today, the central issue in relations with the Chinese shareholders remains linked to the innovative technologies produced by Pirelli, particularly Cyber Tyre, the development of which in the United States, and consequently globally, is today prevented, in light of American regulations on connected vehicles, precisely by the significant presence of a Chinese shareholder controlled directly by the Beijing government.
