Following in US Footsteps, Germany Targets Chinese Investments

Berlin plans to lower threshold to veto deals amid growing concern over Chinese takeovers

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrive for a presentation of self-driving cars at the defunct historic Tempelhof Airport in Berlin, Germany, on July 10, 2018. Fabrizio Bensch/AFP/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—Protectionist noise from Germany is growing louder, as Berlin plans to crack down on Chinese investments, by significantly lowering the threshold for intervening in takeovers.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government, like the Trump administration, is taking steps to expand its ability to block foreign deals deemed as threats to national security.