Chapter 184: Divorce plan

"It depends on the patience of both our boards of directors, but as long as it doesn't delay for too long, I think it shouldn't be a big problem."

Stonecipher sat back on the sofa and looked at the back of the figure standing in front of the window:

"But you seem to have a plan. Are you planning to punish them again?"

He has no hostility toward China, and of course he has no favorable impressions. As long as he can achieve his goal, he will do anything. For the Ministry of Commerce, economic sanctions are obviously the most direct and convenient way.

"Of course not. In your eyes, does this mean we only have one method?"

Kanter looked back at the two CEOs of large companies angrily and amusedly, and asked in a slightly exaggerated tone.

The two did not answer directly, but it was not difficult to see from their eyes that this was what they thought.

"Cough-cough-"

Kanter, who felt a little embarrassed, changed the subject with a few coughs:

"What Phil just said is right. China's market potential is very large, not only in the aviation industry, but also in other industries. And unlike Europe and Japan, their products are almost no threat to us, and they can only export some Cheap labor, it’s a perfect market and we can’t give it up.”

"The confidence of China and Europe to confront us on this matter is that there is strong complementarity between the two. China needs advanced aircraft produced by Airbus, and Airbus also needs to quickly occupy market share, so we have to do The purpose is not to exert direct pressure, but to undermine the relationship between China and Europe."

In fact, Kanter had another reason that he didn't mention.

That is, since mid-1996, the White House has gradually changed its attitude towards China's accession to the WTO, from its previous strong obstruction to conditional support.

On the one hand, this is because major American companies, especially the emerging high-tech companies behind the Donkey Party that have developed with the Internet boom, hope to get a share of the rapidly developing Chinese economy. There have been several scandals in recent years, such as the Whitewater Incident.

The president himself hopes to make China's entry into the WTO an important political achievement in his second term, and Kanter is keenly aware of this trend, so he is unwilling to have too large a conflict with the other party in the commercial field.

"But Michael, since the end of the Cold War, Europe has lost the threat from the other side of the Iron Curtain and has become less obedient, especially their companies that originally relied on our assistance to recover."

There was some dissatisfaction in Condit's tone. After all, without the Marshall Plan, Europe would still be in ruins until now. How could there have been so many rivals that could compete with him:

"We can see the potential of the Chinese market, and the Europeans can naturally see it. If you want to drive a wedge between them, it may not be that easy."

"Of course we can't expect to start from the commercial level. Those European companies are probably dreaming that this matter will make a bigger fuss."

Kanter sat back on the office chair, shook his head, and put out the half-burned cigar:

"But thanks to the existence of NATO, we have some more direct ways to influence them."

"Could the Pentagon still agree to do what happened at the beginning of last year again?"

Stonecipher showed an expression of disbelief.

Although China undoubtedly suffered a loss in that incident, the United States was actually under great pressure and it was simply unfeasible to do it again in a short period of time.

"Why us?"

Kanter showed a somewhat playful smile:

"The year is 1997, Harry, and it's been a very interesting year."

"Although European companies no longer care about this, I think there must be some London aristocrats who are still living in the dream of an empire where the sun never sets, and want to do something at this point in time to satisfy their ridiculous self-esteem."

It took the other two people a few seconds to realize what Kanter was talking about:

"That's it? No other actions?"

Obviously, they were not very optimistic about this plan.

"As long as the Chinese people can suffer a painful loss, that's enough."

Kanter looked confident:

"You are not the only ones who have arranged consulting companies and foundations in China. We also have them, and the Pentagon also has them. At that time, we can arrange some experts with enough weight to focus on inciting their national sentiment through the media and set off a wave of anti-British and anti-European sentiments. , at this time, you can ask those who have benefited from you to propose reducing cooperation with Airbus."

"They have no choice."

A set of serial schemes caused Stonecipher and Condit to fall into deep thought at the same time.

This plan is to deceive others into taking advantage of the fire, and at least there is no risk to them.

If it succeeds, it will be equivalent to weakening the bargaining chips of both Europe and China at the same time. Even if it does not succeed, it will be nothing more than a waste of effort for a few months at most, and then we will consider negotiations.

The merger and acquisition process of two very large companies is originally calculated in years, and this time can still be delayed.

But there is another thing that worries them.

"It sounds reasonable, but Michael, there is a question that I don't know if you have thought about."

Condit showed a somewhat strange expression:

"Fifteen years ago, the British were almost defeated by the Argentines in the South Atlantic. Are you sure they still have enough strength to threaten the Chinese?"

"All your assumptions are based on the fact that the Chinese people will suffer, but if it is the British who are embarrassed in the end, I don't think the EU will suspend cooperation with China because of this."

Sitting on the adjacent sofa, Stonecipher also agreed:

"Not to mention the EU, even British companies will probably not be affected. Companies such as Rolls-Royce, Marconi, Unilever and Rio Tinto have grown very rapidly in China in recent years. Their business in China has grown very rapidly. I won’t lose the opportunity to make money just because of this.”

"No, no, no, you misunderstood what I meant."

Kanter waved his hand and then explained:

"I don't want the British to start a war like they did back then. What I want is a successful provocation that can become a trigger to destroy the relationship between them. That is enough."

"for example?"

"For example, in the South China Sea, where the Chinese navy and air force cannot reach, we have conducted several exercises with neighboring countries."

The huge office fell into silence.

The two CEOs looked at each other and exchanged their opinions in a low voice.

"Well, your plan is worth a try."

"But the patience of the board of directors and investors will not be unlimited. If we cannot see persuasive changes within six months, then we will consider solving the problem through negotiations."