US, Japan in talks to prevent China Westinghouse acquisition

The Trump administration and the Japanese government are in discussions to ensure that the bankruptcy of Toshiba Corp’s US unit Westinghouse Electric does not lead to US technology secrets and infrastructure falling into Chinese hands, a US official said on Thursday. Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy last month hit by billions of dollars of cost overruns at four nuclear reactors under construction in the US Southeast. The bankruptcy is likely to lead to the eventual sale of Westinghouse’s nuclear business and Chinese interests have been seen as possible buyers, given the chance. The official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said conversations were going on between the US and Japanese governments “on ways to mitigate a potential sale.” Some nuclear technologies have dual use, meaning they can be used for civilian and military purposes.