Indeed. CRRC is already selling trains to European operators (Leo Express, Deutsche Bahn...) so we should take this opportunity to strengthen the European railway industry, as in any case Bombardier Transportation will disappear. We’re risking to lose ground in front of the Chinese even more if the EU blocks this buyout which could enable the European rolling stock industry to benefit from a serious kick in the butt which could enable us to be more solid in front of Chinese competition. I think it’s preferable that a European company buys Bombardier for 7 billion euros while it’s still time, because the company needs a buyer anyway. If the next candidate is Chinese, it will be able to put much more than 7 billion on the table, which will complicate the situation even more. Unless the EU blocks this too.
In any case, Bombardier Transportation will disappear so we may as well make the most of the situation by reinforcing the European railway arsenal at the same time.
Does it matter if the trains are French or Chinese if they aren’t built here?
If we want to protect our factories we have to use tariffs or “must be built here” clauses in the bidding