I think its not so much what the Italian families view the American families as much as what the Americans viewed the Italians. Early on Italians and Italian Americans were still sorta within reach. I would say over the last 20-25 years, and in todays day in age, the two cultures are vastly different. Esp families that have been here 4-5 generations now. But I think the American mob guys would look at the off the boat guys as rivals more than allies. Whenever you think about a Zip crew/faction in any of the families, they always seem to stay within themselves. Which I'm sure the American guys didnt like too much. So already you had a split between the two. Yes they had to do business with them because thats what the boss wanted.