Bloomberg News reported on July 28, 2018 that at the instance of the German authorities the  State-owned investment bank KfW will temporarily acquire a 20 percent holding in 50Hertz Transmission GmbH, one of Germany's largest power-grid operators. The State Grid Corp. of China was in talks to buy the holding.  Germany's Economy Ministry will also veto the sale of Leifeld Metal Spinning to Chinese investors when it comes up for decision this week. Germany is joining the U.S. and Canada in taking a tougher line on China. Merkel’s government has been at the forefront of moves to bring in European Union-wide screening of outside investments after being the target of Chinese acquisitions in recent years. Policy makers are acting out of concern that China is seeking access to sensitive technology or wants to boost its global influence by acquiring key infrastructure including ports and electricity networks. In May, Canada blocked a proposed takeover of construction firm Aecon Group Inc. by a unit of China Communications Construction Co., while the U.S. House of Representatives this week voted to expand reviews of foreign investment in sensitive industries. 

(Comment: State Grid has very close ties to China's Intelligence apparatus and its employees have been caught engaging in espionage while working on projects abroad.)