US: ChemChina-Syngenta $43 billion deal approved by Security Panel

China’s global ambitions cleared a big hurdle after the US national-security regulator approved China National Chemical Corp.’s planned $43 billion takeover of Swiss seed giant Syngenta AG.

The decision in favor of China National Chemical, or ChemChina, comes amid growing opposition to Chinese investment from Europe to Australia. If completed, it would be China’s largest overseas acquisition to date.

The industry had been watching for a decision from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, or CFIUS, a government body with the power to block deals it deems a threat to the nation’s security, because about a quarter of Syngenta’s sales come from North America.

While analysts and Chinese industry officials hailed the decision as a major step forward for what would be a landmark Chinese takeover, the deal still faces potential roadblocks from regulators in the European Union.

ChemChina’s deal for Syngenta is significant not only for its size, but also what it represents for China. Acquiring the Swiss seed and pesticide giant’s intellectual property would be hugely valuable for China as it seeks to feed a growing middle class and modernize its sprawling agricultural industry.

Full Content: NY Times

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