Germany Eyes Stricter Rules for Foreign Takeovers Amid China Worries

Germany Eyes Stricter Rules for Foreign Takeovers Amid China Worries
The Mercedes-Benz star is displayed on the front of a Mercedes-Benz G-model at the annual press conference of German auto giant Daimler AG in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany, on February 1, 2018. Chinese carmaker Geely purchased an almost 10 percent stake in Daimler in February. Thomas Kienzle/AFP/Getty Images
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BERLIN—The German government could lower the threshold at which it can intervene in response to foreign investments in companies, the economy minister said on April 26 amid growing concern that China and other rivals are gaining access to key technologies.

Berlin tightened controls on foreign investments last year after a series of high-profile takeovers by Chinese firms, by extending a 25 percent shareholding threshold—at which the government can intervene—to additional business sectors.

Speaking to reporters in Berlin, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said the government was looking into tightening those rules even further.

“The question of (lowering) the takeover threshold is one of many options on the table that we can discuss in the government and parliamentary groups,” said Altmaier, one of the closest allies of Chancellor Angela Merkel.