Deals
Midea Touts Kuka Deal as Chinese Offer Hits German Hurdles
- German minister says effort is underway for alternative offer
- Politicians worry that data could end up with China government
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Midea Group Co. said its offer for Kuka AG is in the best interests of the robot maker, even as the German government seeks other potential buyers and considers attaching conditions to the purchase by China’s biggest home appliance maker.
Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel is leading the German charge to find a European suitor, saying in Berlin on Wednesday that “there are efforts to create an alternative offer.” Chancellor Angela Merkel is “aware that the economy minister is studying other options” and views the presence of innovative companies in Germany as important, said Christiane Wirtz, a government spokeswoman.