Germany bolsters corporate defenses against Chinese 'predators'

European officials worry coronavirus-weakened companies could be acquisition targets

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German politicians have been on guard against Chinese acquisitions of local companies with advanced technologies since Midea Group’s 4.5 billion euro buyout of robot producer Kuka in 2017. © Reuters

JENS KASTNER, Contributing writer

HAMBURG, Germany -- Germany and other governments are bolstering corporate defenses to address worries that coronavirus-weakened companies could be easy prey for opportunistic Chinese buyers.

"We will avoid a sellout of German economic and industrial concerns," German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier said last week as he announced plans for a fund to take stakes in or buy out local companies needing a lifeline.

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