Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 19, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleItaly's Deputy PM emphasizes auto collaboration with China amid EU trade tensions, highlighting infrastructure and innovation opportunities.
BEIJING (Reuters) -Italy's deputy prime minister talked up cooperation with China in the auto industry during an interview with state news agency Xinhua, even as Beijing faces scrutiny from the European Union over extending unfair subsidies to its carmakers.
Matteo Salvini, who is also Italy's transport minister, said "the two countries enjoy broad prospects for cooperation in automobiles, smart roads and other transport areas," according to an interview published on Friday.
"When we are working to raise train speeds to 300 km per hour, China is already exploring 400, 450 and even 500 km per hour, while also advancing in autonomous driving, artificial intelligence and innovation," he was quoted by Xinhua as saying during a visit to China.
Despite voting in favour of the European Commission's 2024 decision to slap tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Italy has tried to stay in Beijing's good books - consistently talking up the merits of Chinese firms and investment in Europe.
By keeping the door open to more Chinese investment, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni managed to burnish ties with Beijing during a visit last July, even after announcing that the euro zone's third-largest economy would leave President Xi Jinping's flagship 'Belt and Road' infrastructure initiative.
Salvini told Xinhua that he saw "great potential" in infrastructure development.
China and the European Commission, which handles trade policy for the 27-strong bloc, are embroiled in trade tensions that analysts attribute to Brussels' decision to impose import tariffs to ward off a flood of cheap Chinese electric vehicles.
Beijing has retaliated by placing anti-dumping duties on European pork and brandy, and by probing its dairy sector.
(Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Matteo Salvini emphasized the potential for cooperation between Italy and China in the auto industry, including smart roads and transport technologies.
Despite supporting the European Commission's decision to impose tariffs, Italy has maintained a positive stance towards China, highlighting the benefits of collaboration.
Salvini noted the potential for infrastructure development, particularly in enhancing train speeds and advancing technologies like autonomous driving.
China and the European Commission are facing trade tensions due to the EU's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which has led to retaliatory measures from Beijing.
During her visit to China last July, Prime Minister Meloni aimed to strengthen ties with Beijing while acknowledging Italy's significant economic position within the euro zone.
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