Chapter 591

Peterson came back to the United States to deal with the legal issue of the acquisition of Volkswagen, but this legal issue is not a small issue like finding a lawyer to consult the acquisition contract. It's about breaking big problems like the Volkswagen Corporation Protection Act.

Volkswagen Corporation Protection Act is a unfair competition law issued by German government to protect Volkswagen Group. Maybe the Germans think that this can ensure that their industry will not fall into the hands of foreigners, but their idea is really naive. Peterson will tell the German government in his own way that nothing can stop the Blackstone Group.

Peterson has worked in the business sector for many years and has the same influence in politics as members of Congress. After returning to the United States, Peterson rushed to Washington to meet the current commerce secretary. The commerce department is located in the Hoover building on Constitution Avenue in Washington. Peterson arrived at the appointed time and was soon led into the Hoover building by his former subordinates.

Peterson is here today either for other reasons or to lobby the Secretary of Commerce to take a series of measures against Volkswagen so that they cannot be sold in the U.S. market. Peterson considered this matter from the perspective of a politician for many years. He believed that anti competition treaties such as the Volkswagen Corporation protection act not only kept American investors out of the country, but also gave Germany's automobile industry a huge advantage. Under the protection of this law, the American automobile industry is competing with the German government. Now in the United States, the automobile industry is facing the pressure from the United States and European automobile manufacturers, the market share is gradually declining, and the role of the automobile industry in employment is absolutely not to be ignored by the government.

Peterson soon reached a preliminary consensus with the Minister of Commerce. However, the Minister of commerce also suggested to Peterson that this issue could be communicated with the German side through US trade representative Clayton ute. And he also promised Peterson that he would give VW's cars a little bit of color within his responsibility.

"Peterson, I've heard that Blackstone has been developing well recently and has been invested by big Wall Street companies?" After finishing the business, the Minister of Commerce suddenly talked about the development of Blackstone.

"Yes, we have accepted the funds from investors! But the way we cooperate is different. We adopt the partnership system. The direction of the company's operation is still in the hands of Schwarzman and I. most of the time, the other side just wants to make financial investment! " Peterson was suddenly excited. He could hear the other party's words. What did he mean? How to focus on their own small company for no reason.

"Do you remember my little son, Larry? He graduated from Dartmouth this year and wants to work as an investor on Wall Street. I know your skills. If you don't mind, I hope you can take him with you! " The commerce minister said bluntly. The main reason why he dared to make such a direct request was that Peterson was also a man in officialdom and knew the rules of officialdom. The Secretary of Commerce seems to be in the limelight, but in the United States, the president has great power. If something goes wrong, it's common for cabinet members to come out to top the bag. American politicians are human beings, and they have to consider the future for their families. If they throw their son to Goldman Sachs or Morgan Stanley, they will definitely be scolded by the media. On the contrary, Peterson's Blackstone company has the support of large consortia behind it, has no worries of its own, and is not very eye-catching. Moreover, with Peterson's ability, the development of Blackstone is only a matter of time. It is absolutely a good place to put his youngest son in Blackstone.

Peterson said to the Secretary of Commerce, "Larry, right? I watched him grow up. Don't worry! Brother, I won't treat Larry badly! "

Peterson left the Department of Commerce and rushed to the U.S. trade representative's office. Because the United States and Germany are both members of the general agreement on Tariffs and trade (GATT), if there is a trade dispute between the two sides, the trade representatives of the United States are duty bound to step forward to solve the problem. Speaking of the trade representative of the United States, this position is a bit like the ambassador of an international organization. However, because trade plays a key role in economic life, trade representative actually has a significant weight in the president's cabinet.

American trade representatives usually come from Wall Street and American academia, while Clayton ute, the current trade representative, comes from Wall Street. Peterson had a lot to do with him when he worked for Lehman Brothers, and their friendship was good. So when Peterson called Clayton's private phone, they first talked about the past and then got down to business.

"Clayton, I want you to do me a little favor! Some of my friends and I want to invest in Volkswagen Group in Germany, but the German government has a special "Volkswagen Company protection law" to prohibit foreign investors from purchasing Volkswagen. I would like to ask you to communicate with the German side to see if there is any way to get around it? " Peterson asked over the phone.

"You want to buy Volkswagen? Who's involved? " Clayton was surprised when he heard Peterson's words. He didn't know who was so bold when he bought Volkswagen!

"We Blackstone Group are very interested in the automobile industry, so we united several banks in the United Kingdom and the United States to buy Volkswagen, but the Germans actually used the law to hinder our normal business activities. This is hard for me to accept. Clayton, you know how many German cars flow into the US market every year. On the one hand, they are making a lot of US dollars, but when we want a fair competition opportunity, the Germans close the door. Clayton, do you think it's fair“ Peterson explained to Clayton over the phone.

"Anyway, I hope you can succeed! If Volkswagen is really acquired by you, are you considering transferring some factories to the United States? " Clayton asked again that as an official, everything will be considered in terms of trade surplus and employment, which has become a professional habit.

"Of course, Clayton! If we can get what we want, then I am willing to move the golf production line to the United States. I think that kind of car is a nightmare for Japanese cars! The cost-effective cars made in the United States have at least 200000 jobs. Clayton, if you want to run for the Senate, I can put this gift in your hometown! " Peterson's naked seduction.

"Peterson, you know me so well! Do I have any reason to refuse? To hell with the Germans and the Japanese Said Clayton excitedly.