Tata Steel and Thyssenkrupp

Part of 3. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:22 pm on 15 May 2019.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:22, 15 May 2019

On partnerships with non-European countries, we've asked about any alternatives to the proposed joint venture and merger. It's a commercial matter for Tata, of course, but we are keen to understand what alternatives there might be, and what interest there might be. That's one of the reasons why I'm keen to go to the Netherlands and speak with senior executives. The shifting focus away from Europe and towards India means that the steel family within the European Community will act more distinctively, potentially, in the future, and that is why I believe that engagement at a European level is absolutely right. We have good relations already with Ratan Tata and with senior executives in India. We stand ready to go to Mumbai if necessary. For the time being the advice that we've received from Tata is to ensure that we thoroughly engage at a European level. That's what we are doing, and that's what I'll continue to do.