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Italy Considers Curbing Chinese Stakes in Strategic Firms

It would mark a shift from case-by-case golden-power actions to a broader regime shielding Italy from potential U.S. technology bans.

Overview

  • Officials have identified Pirelli, where Sinochem holds a 37% stake, and Cdp Reti, which controls Italy’s energy networks and is 35% owned by State Grid, as primary targets for curbs on Chinese investment.
  • Rome’s goal is to shield strategic sectors from U.S. market bans on China-linked technologies and to allay Washington’s national security concerns.
  • The plan would broaden Italy’s toolkit beyond individual golden-power orders and April’s board-level downgrade of Sinochem’s governance status to a formal regime limiting foreign holdings.
  • China’s foreign ministry warned against discriminatory treatment and urged Italy to maintain a fair investment climate for Chinese firms.
  • U.S. officials have cautioned that tyres equipped with connected sensors could be barred from American markets due to Chinese ownership ties.