The European Commission welcomed Germany, France and Italy’s proposal to halt China’s buyouts in Europe in some cases given the “limited access” to the Chinese market.

The imbalance between Europe’s openness to foreign investors and the severe restrictions imposed on European companies in the Chinese market needs to be addressed, Commission and member states agree.

The lack of progress made after twelve round of talks between Chinese and EU officials to reach an investment agreement led Berlin, Paris and Rome to find an alternative ways to protect their companies.

In a letter sent to the Commission, and seen by German news agency DPA, they argued member states “should have more scope to investigate individual takeovers and, where applicable, block them”.

The three governments were particularly concerned about state-backed acquisitions and the “buying up of important technologies”.

The €4.5 billion buyout of Kuka, a leading robot maker, by China’s Midea last year sent shockwaves across Germany’s political class and beyond.

“Kuka is a successful company in a strategic sector that is important for the digital future of European industry,” said Commissioner Günther Oettinger, who urged European companies to make a counter offer to impede Midea’s deal

The executive “fully shares” the concerns raised as regards to the “limited access” EU countries have to “certain third countries”, Commission spokesperson Daniel Rosario said on Wednesday (15 February).

Therefore, he considered the proposal submitted by the three largest EU economies “worth discussing”.

“The Commission believes the EU needs to assess if it has all the tools to respond to the challenges of globalisation,” he told reporters.

Rosario added that Trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström would respond to the letter. Trade ministers will hold an informal meeting in Malta in early March.

Lack of details

Germany, France, the UK and Italy are the top destinations for Chinese investment.

The letter submitted to the Commission did not give details about the legal shape the new instrument would take.

Rosario stressed that any proposal should be agreed at EU level and should respect the EU treaties and EU’s international agreements.

In parallel with the negotiations for EU-China bilateral investment agreement, the Commission also put forward in January 2016 a revised proposal for international procurement instrument.

The new piece of legislation would impose conditions on third countries which discriminate against European firms trying to access their national markets.

But ‘contradictory interests’ between member states and within the countries impede its progress in the Council, officials explained.

National governments are stuck in between their support for free trade and the need of foreign investment, and the risks posed by China’s growing influence in their national markets.

Member states are also wary of retaliatory actions if they impose punitive measures against China.

The discussion would get further complicated, as the impact of trade and foreign takeovers has become a controversial issue in upcoming national elections in the EU.

Globalisation has become a scapegoat for populist forces. Germany, France, the Netherlands and Italy will hold elections later this year.