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EU helps protect weak firms from foreign takeovers

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    EU helps protect weak firms from foreign takeovers

    This is a strong message from the EU that they will protect companies in member countries from predators.


    It is a shame that the UK will not receive the same level of protection.


    Brexit is not looking like such a good idea now is it?

    The EU plans to help block foreign takeovers of European companies struggling with the virus downturn.


    It wants to allow governments to invest in weak companies, which could include some form of ownership.


    While it called them "measures of last resort", the European Commission says it is consulting member states.


    A focus for the regulator is to counter unfair competition from state-owned firms, which are the backbone of economies such as China's.


    It is now looking at further protection for businesses based in the EU, in light of the significant financial impact coronavirus lockdowns are having on them.


    "This in principle falls outside the scope of EU state aid control and can in particular be important for interventions by member states to prevent hostile takeovers of strategic companies by foreign purchasers," a spokesman for the European Commission said.


    EU agrees €500bn coronavirus rescue package
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    "As in any crisis, the industrial and corporate assets are under stress. The resilience of our industries, their capacity to continue to respond to the needs of EU citizens and the preservation of strategic assets and technology, is key," the spokesman added.


    The EU is worried that foreign investors may try to acquire European companies "in order to take control of key technologies, infrastructure or expertise". It says this "raises concerns as regards security".


    Last month, the European Commission issued guidelines to ensure a strong EU-wide approach to foreign investment screening "in a time of public health crisis and related economic vulnerability".


    European companies have long been in the sights of Chinese rivals, including major state-owned enterprises, and the sharp economic downturn, and subsequent steep falls in share prices, could make them more vulnerable to overseas bidders.


    "The Commission is well aware of concerns that operations involving companies benefiting from third-country subsidies or state support may have distortive effects in the European internal market," it said.


    New foreign direct investment screening regulations were adopted last March and can be fully applied from October 2020.


    The UK formally left the EU on 31 January, but is currently in a transition period until the end of the year. During this period, the UK will continue to follow all of the EU's rules and its trading relationship will remain the same.
    source: EU helps protect weak firms from foreign takeovers - BBC News
    "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

    #2
    Weak companies should never be protected.
    Down with racism. Long live miscegenation!

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by scooterscot View Post
      This is a strong message from the EU that they will protect companies in member countries from predators.


      It is a shame that the UK will not receive the same level of protection.


      Brexit is not looking like such a good idea now is it?



      source: EU helps protect weak firms from foreign takeovers - BBC News

      The headline "EU helps protect weak firms from foreign takeovers" is deeply misleading, they're not actually doing anything to help anyone, except by allowing governments to intervene if they choose to.
      Brexit means the UK could do that anyway. Your conclusion (such as it is), is bollox.
      His heart is in the right place - shame we can't say the same about his brain...

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by Mordac View Post
        The headline "EU helps protect weak firms from foreign takeovers" is deeply misleading, they're not actually doing anything to help anyone, except by allowing governments to intervene if they choose to.
        Brexit means the UK could do that anyway. Your conclusion (such as it is), is bollox.
        Mordac who is we? Can you explain I've seen precious little help from the Tories in 10 years. Would this be the Chancellor who has effectively stuck 2 fingers up at the self employed.

        We must get out of this notion that you and I have any say at all in how Brexti plays out, we don't. Nothing is going to happen to you nothing of me. We are 100% not in control of this.

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Shackattack View Post
          Mordac who is we? Can you explain I've seen precious little help from the Tories in 10 years. Would this be the Chancellor who has effectively stuck 2 fingers up at the self employed.

          We must get out of this notion that you and I have any say at all in how Brexti plays out, we don't. Nothing is going to happen to you nothing of me. We are 100% not in control of this.
          I didn't use the word 'we'. Deliberately, actually, so as not to confuse Scooty, who ist now ein German...
          His heart is in the right place - shame we can't say the same about his brain...

          Comment

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