Germany’s new rules put Chinese M&A at risk

Outbound investments by Chinese firms are not only becoming harder due to the tougher curbs at home but also because of the tighter shackles abroad.

In the US, Chinese dealmakers are faced with a slowing approval process under the Donald Trump presidency. In Australia, the government last year blocked big infrastructure investments by Chinese state-owned enterprises while promising tougher scrutiny towards them in the future.

Now Germany, another top destination for Chinese buyers, has introduced a tougher regulatory regime for foreign investments.

On July 18, the new German Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance FTPO entered into force, allowing the government...