BEIJING: Siemens has no interest in becoming a white knight for German robot maker Kuka , which is the target of a 4.5 billion euro ($5.06 billion) takeover bid by Chinese home appliance maker Midea , Siemens´ chief executive said.
"If we had been interested, we would have acted on it some time ago," Joe Kaeser told German broadcaster ntv in an interview on Sunday.
Midea´s bid has fanned a furious debate over Chinese takeovers in Europe, with politicians such as German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel calling for tougher restrictions.
It has also prompted Berlin to consider whether Kuka´s technology is crucial for the digitalisation of German industry, an economic priority.
Kaeser, speaking to the broadcaster on the sidelines of Chancellor Angela Merkel´s trade visit to Beijing, said he believed Gabriel, who is also Vice Chancellor, was relaxed about Kuka´s situation.
"I don´t believe that Mr Gabriel has a concern," Kaeser said.
"As Economy Minister, he´s looking out for his country in that sense, it´s quite natural that he should look at alternatives," Kaeser added.
Gabriel said earlier this month there was an effort under way to develop an alternative offer for Kuka.
Germany´s Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily reported that Gabriel had spoken to German car manufacturers and Siemens about mounting a possible counter-bid for Kuka.
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