Cargotec-Konecranes deal highlights EU-UK regulatory differences; and CADE’s penalty reckoning

The collapse of a deal involving two Finnish crane companies — Cargotec and Konecranes — as a result of regulatory obstacles has thrust into the spotlight differences in outlook between the UK and the European Union on mergers and acquisitions. The European Commission had been prepared to wave the deal through — albeit with undertakings from the companies to divest an array of assets; but the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority concluded that the undertakings on the table wouldn’t be enough to allay its fears of competitive harm. The deal highlighted and solidify the differences between those regulators that are prepared to work with undertakings; and those who aren’t. Also on the podcast today: Brazil’s CADE faces scrutiny over antitrust penalties.