Ep. 43: Ashley Lenihan On The Politics Of Cross-Border M&A, CFIUS And Sensitive Sectors

Dr Ashley Lenihan is a leading expert on the relationship between foreign direct investment and national security and is the author of ‘Balancing Power without Weapons: State Intervention into Cross-Border M&A’. She is the Head of Policy and Engagement at the British Academy of Management (BAM), a visiting Fellow at the London School of Economic’s Centre for International Studies, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. In the podcast, we discuss:

1. Why countries block foreign investment/M&A deals
2. Types of measures used to block or mitigate deals
3. Evolution of US policy on foreign investment (CFIUS, FIRMA)
4. Examples of US vetoes
5. Will Biden change CFIUS approach?
6. How data is new front for regulating foreign investment
7. The unusually broad scope of new UK regulation
8. Advice to companies who engage in cross-border M&A
9. Books that influenced Ashley: Theory of International Politics (Waltz), National Power and the Structure of Foreign Trade (Hirschman), Power & Interdependence (Keohane and Nye) and Isolationism (Kupchan)

You can follow Ashley’s work here and you can purchase her latest book Balance Power without Weapons here.

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(The commentary contained in the above article does not constitute an offer or a solicitation, or a recommendation to implement or liquidate an investment or to carry out any other transaction. It should not be used as a basis for any investment decision or other decision. Any investment decision should be based on appropriate professional advice specific to your needs.)