Chapter 137 Washington Lobbying
Peterson returned to the United States to deal with the legal issue of the acquisition of Volkswagen, but this legal issue is not about asking a lawyer to consult the acquisition contract. It's about breaking down big issues like this.
It is an unfair competition law issued by the German government to protect the Volkswagen Group. Perhaps the Germans think that this will ensure that their industry will not fall into the hands of foreigners, but their thinking 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 as much influence in politics as members of Congress. After returning to the United States, Peterson immediately rushed to Washington to meet the current Secretary of Commerce. The Department of Commerce is located in the Hoover Building on Constitution Avenue in Washington. Peterson came here at the appointed time, and soon he was brought into the Hoover Building by his former close subordinates.
Peterson is here today for nothing else but to lobby the Secretary of Commerce to take a series of measures against Volkswagen so that they cannot be sold in the US market. Peterson thinks about it from the perspective of a long-time politician. He believes that anti-competition treaties like this not only keep American investors out of the country, but also give Germany's auto industry a huge advantage. Under the protection of this law, the American auto industry was literally competing with the German government. Now in the United States, the auto industry is facing joint squeeze from American and European auto manufacturers, and its market share is gradually declining. The role of the auto industry in employment cannot be ignored by the government.
Peterson quickly reached a preliminary consensus with the Secretary of Commerce, but the Secretary of Commerce also suggested to Peterson that the issue could be communicated with Germany through US Trade Representative Clayton Ute. And he also promised Peterson that he would give Volkswagen's cars a little color within the scope of his duties.
"Petersen, I heard that your Blackstone has been developing well recently, and you have been injected by a big Wall Street company?" After finishing the business, the Minister of Commerce suddenly talked about the development of Blackstone.
"Yes, we have accepted investors' funds! However, we cooperate in a different way. We adopt a partnership system. The direction of the company's operations is still in the hands of me and Schwarzman. Most of the time, the other party I just want to make financial investment!" Peterson was suddenly shocked, he could hear that the other party had something to say, what exactly did he mean? Why have you paid attention to your own small company for no reason?
"Do you remember my youngest son Larry? He graduated from Dartmouth this year and wants to enter Wall Street to work in investment. I know your ability. If you don't mind, I hope you can take him with you!" The Minister of Commerce said bluntly. The reason why he dared to make such a direct request was mainly because Peterson was also a member of the officialdom and understood the rules of the officialdom. The Secretary of Commerce seems to be in a good position, but in the United States, the power of the president is very large. If something goes wrong, it is common for cabinet members to come out to cover the bag. American politicians are also human beings, and they have to think about the future of their families. Things, if you throw your son to Goldman Sachs or Morgan Stanley, you will definitely be scolded by the media. On the contrary, Peterson's Blackstone company is backed by a large consortium. It has no worries of its own and is not too conspicuous. Moreover, with Peterson's ability, the development of Blackstone is only a matter of time. is a good place to go.
Peterson understood and said to the Minister of Commerce: "Larry, right? I watched him grow up. Don't worry! Brother, I won't treat Larry badly!"
After bidding farewell to the Ministry of Commerce, Peterson rushed to the Office of the United States Trade Representative without stopping. Because both the United States and Germany are members of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), if there is a trade dispute between the two sides, the US trade representative will definitely stand up and solve the problem. Speaking of U.S. trade representative, this position is a bit like an ambassador for an international organization.
However, because of the key position of trade in economic life, trade representatives actually play a pivotal role in the president's cabinet.
U.S. Trade Representatives are usually born on Wall Street and American academia, and the current U.S. Trade Representative Clayton Ute is from Wall Street. Peterson had dealt with him a lot when he was working at Lehman Brothers, and the friendship between the two was not bad. So when Peterson dialed Clayton's personal number by phone, the two first chatted about the past, and then got down to business.
"Clayton, I want you to do me a small favor! Some friends and I want to invest in the Volkswagen Group in Germany, but the German government has a special policy to prohibit foreign investors from acquiring Volkswagen. I would like you and the German side to Communicate and see if there is a way around it?" Peterson begged on the phone.
"You want to acquire Volkswagen? Who is involved?" Clayton was surprised when he heard Peterson's words. He didn't know anything about the acquisition of Volkswagen. Who is so courageous!
"Our Blackstone Group is very interested in the auto industry, so we united with several banks in the UK and the US to acquire Volkswagen, but the Germans actually use the law to hinder our normal business activities. This is hard for me to accept anyway, Ke Leighton you know how many German cars flow into the American market every year, on the one hand they are making a lot of our dollars, and when we want a fair competition, the Germans close the door. Clay Don, do you think that's fair?" Peterson explained to Clayton on the phone.
"No matter what, I hope you can succeed! If Volkswagen is really acquired by you, are you considering moving some factories to the United States!" Clayton asked again, as an official, no matter what All will be considered in terms of trade surplus, employment, etc., which has become a professional habit.
"Of course, Clayton! If we can get our wish, then I am willing to move the golf production line to the United States. I think that kind of car is simply a nightmare for Japanese cars! Cost-effective cars made in the United States, at least twenty Thousands of job opportunities, Clayton, if you want to run for Congress, I can put this gift in your hometown!" Peterson said nakedly.
"Petersen, you know me too well! Is there any reason for me to refuse? Let the Germans and Japanese go to hell!" Clayton said excitedly. ...
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