Finance
Italy to meet pirelli and its investors over Chinese control spat, sources say
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 13, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 13, 2026
Quick Summary
Italy’s government is set to meet with Pirelli and its two main shareholders—Sinochem and Camfin—on Monday to address tensions around Chinese influence, with options including limiting Sinochem’s voting power and exploring governance changes to safeguard Pirelli’s U.S. expansion.
Italy to Hold Key Meeting With Pirelli and Investors on Chinese Ownership Issue
Overview of the Pirelli Ownership Dispute
Background of the Dispute
MILAN, March 13 (Reuters) - Italian government officials will meet on Monday with representatives from Pirelli and of its two main investors as part of efforts to address a spat over Chinese influence on the tyremaker, two sources said.
Pirelli's two largest shareholders, Chinese state-owned Sinochem with 34%, and Camfin, the investment vehicle of Executive Vice President Marco Tronchetti Provera, with 25.3%, have been at the centre of a protracted row.
Escalating Tensions and U.S. Regulatory Impact
Tensions have intensified ahead of new U.S. rules curbing the use of Chinese technologies in the automotive sector.
Camfin - and Pirelli itself - have called for curbs on Sinochem's ownership position, saying that it would otherwise complicate Pirelli's expansion plans in the United States, a key market for its premium tyre business.
Italian Government's Role and Potential Solutions
Italy's government, under so-called golden powers that can be used to protect assets deemed of national interest, is considering options including transferring Sinochem's stake to a blind trust, freezing its voting rights.
Chinese Stakeholder Response
The Chinese group would favour a temporary solution, allowing it to retain its stake in Pirelli in the long period, although with restricted governing powers, one of the sources said on Friday.
Possible Financial Maneuvers
A government decision on Pirelli's governance is expected around mid-April, the two sources said.
Sinochem was also considering issuing a bond convertible in Pirelli's shares, which could help it to temporarily cut its shareholding in the tyremaker, two other people briefed with the situation earlier told Reuters.
Upcoming Meetings and Media Coverage
News of Monday's meetings, involving officials from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office, was first reported by Italian news agency Radiocor.
(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari in Milan, additional reporting by Elvira Pollina in Milan and Kane Wu in Hong Kong; writing by Giulio Piovaccari; editing by Alvise Armellini)
Key Takeaways
- •Italy invoking its “golden power” authority is considering measures such as freezing Sinochem’s voting rights or placing its stake in a blind trust to ease governance concerns ahead of U.S. regulatory changes (scmp.com).
- •Camfin and Pirelli have recently declined to renew their shareholder agreement with Sinochem, signaling a shift to comply with tightening U.S. restrictions on Chinese-linked firms in automotive technologies (firstonline.info).
- •Though Sinochem has proposed a structured solution to resolve the dispute, it has rejected the blind trust option, highlighting a stalemate ahead of a likely government decision expected by mid‑April (scmp.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Italy to meet Pirelli and its investors over Chinese control spat, sources say
1Who are the largest shareholders of Pirelli?
Pirelli's largest shareholders are Chinese state-owned Sinochem with 34% and Camfin, holding 25.3%.
2Why is there a dispute over Chinese control at Pirelli?
Tensions have arisen as Camfin and Pirelli seek curbs on Sinochem's ownership to avoid complications with Pirelli's US expansion, amid new US rules on Chinese tech.
3What measures is the Italian government considering?
Italy may transfer Sinochem's stake to a blind trust or freeze its voting rights, using 'golden powers' for assets of national interest.
4What possible solution does Sinochem support?
Sinochem reportedly favors a temporary solution allowing it to retain its Pirelli stake but with restricted governing powers.
5When is a decision on Pirelli's governance expected?
A decision by the Italian government regarding Pirelli's governance is expected around mid-April.
