Chapter 239 What Did I Do Wrong

In a manor on the outskirts of London.

Paolo Ferrero and Antero Muriez, who had just met Milo not long ago, were now on a conference call with several people and a bunch of phones.

"He refused. He refused without any room for negotiation." Paul Ferrero said indignantly at the meeting.

Antero Muriez: "Haven't we already suspected this? The greed of Americans is known to the world. It would cost a lot to stop them, no matter which American they are."

"So should we just give SGS-Thomson Microelectronics to him?"

“No, he only wanted 60%.”

"Taking 60% of $200 million is like giving it away!! You have to know that we have invested more than $2 billion in this company."

The meeting was rowdy from the start, and some people felt that compromise was possible.

After all, if SGS-Thomson Microelectronics gives up 60% of its shares, it will allow it to enter the United States, which is currently the world's largest market.

Just consider it as protection money.

It's still worth a try.

But most people opposed it.

Because the Americans only wanted to use $200 million to get 60% of the shares of SGS-Thomson Microelectronics.

This is too much to ask.

Let’s talk about SGS-Thomson Microelectronics.

It was founded in 1987 as an Italian-French joint venture formed by the merger of Italy's SGS Microelectronics and France's Thomson Semiconductor.

Without Milo's intervention, it would have been renamed STMicroelectronics next year.

According to the latest industrial statistics, the company is currently the world's fifth largest semiconductor manufacturer and is a world leader in many markets.

For example, it is the world's largest manufacturer of dedicated analog chips and power conversion chips, the world's largest supplier of industrial semiconductors and set-top box chips, and is a world leader in discrete devices and automotive integrated circuits.

Basically, it can be said that this is the world's most advanced representative company in old Europe in the field of semiconductor hardware.

However, due to the declining strength of old Europe, most of SGS-Thomson Microelectronics' markets are currently in Central and Western Europe.

As for North America, the world's largest market at present, and Asia, which has huge potential, SGS-Thomson Microelectronics has little influence.

But no matter what, it can be said without a doubt that it is one of the most advanced and outstanding semiconductor manufacturers.

This is also the reason why he was targeted by Milo and sought after by the Americans.

"alright!"

Antero Muriez spoke out to stop the chaotic conference call.

He said with a headache: "There is no point in arguing. Everyone, let's discuss how to get through this difficult time."

"I don't think we should compromise!" Paul Ferrero's attitude has always been firm.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that they mainly make candies.

But all along, they have used the money they earned from candy to make various diversified investments.

Semiconductors are also a direction.

And Paul Ferrero is the person in charge of this direction in the Ferrero family.

The rest of the Ferrero family probably doesn't care.

Paolo Ferrero would never tolerate his family losing this territory.

That means that a large part of his voice in the family will be taken away.

"Aren't we always working with lobbyists in Washington?"

Paul Ferrero suggested: "We can increase our investment in this area. I believe that Milo Blackburn must have enemies in the United States. The enemy of my enemy is my ally. I believe there will always be someone who stands up against Blackburn."

"There will always be someone? We can't expect anyone else to step up, especially when they are all Americans," Antero Muriez retorted.

Paul Ferrero immediately retorted: "So you mean to surrender to the Americans and hand over the shares of SGS-Thomson Microelectronics?"

This time it was Antelo Muriez's turn to remain silent.

"Ahem, everyone."

Pierre Simon, chairman of SGS-Thomson Microelectronics and a representative of shareholders and a member of the French Academy of Sciences, said: "Now is not the time to argue. How about this. Let's take out the problems we are currently facing one by one and try to solve them one by one?"

Pierre Simon can be said to be the spiritual leader of SGS-Thomson Microelectronics.

He is a fellow of the French Academy of Sciences in physics, but his research is not in the field of semiconductor electronics.

But he has a great reputation in the scientific research circles of France and Western Europe.

As the chairman of SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, he can gather many elite scientific research experts.

It is thanks to these scientific research experts that SGS-Thomson Microelectronics was able to forge its own path despite the intentional or unintentional suppression of the Americans.

Pierre Simon has a lot of authority in the company, so when he speaks, everyone is willing to give him face.

"It seems like everyone agrees? Then let's talk about the first thing, which is the arrest of our CEO Mr. Lavina in the United States. The news from there shows that Lavina violated California's laws on racial discrimination. Once the court makes a ruling, he may face a maximum sentence of five to ten years."

"However, it would be fine if it was just Mr. Ravina. The problem is that the people who were with him were also arrested for various issues."

"Among these entourages, there are also important figures such as our chief semiconductor engineer."

“We can’t just sit back and do nothing because it’s not just a morale issue for the company. We can’t afford to lose these people.”

Pierre Simon was right.

CEO Ravina led the team on this trip because they received visit invitations from Intel Corporation and GF Semiconductor of the United States.

Intel has expressed its intention to build a factory in Europe and is ready to cooperate with semiconductor manufacturers here.

This is a big order. If SGS-Thomson Microelectronics can get it, it means that it will not be afraid of lack of business in the next ten years.

So Ravina ran over.

Also, Intel and GF said they needed to evaluate the technical capabilities of their partners.

So Ravina brought with him a group of the company's most elite R&D elites.

My original intention was to learn a little and take a look at the scientific research ideas of the world's largest semiconductor country, and then complete my work at the same time.

Now it's all over.

Now let’s look back at the sudden invitation and the subsequent fabricated charges.

It seems that Ravina and SGS-Thomson Microelectronics have definitely been conspired by the Americans.

The Americans had planned this long ago, otherwise everything wouldn't have happened so coincidentally.

Because this is really outrageous. The visiting team consisted of more than 30 people, except for two translators and three people who were responsible for running errands.

Everything else is a crime! If this isn't outrageous, then who is? The way Americans eat is really ugly.

"Sue!" Paul Ferrero said, "Don't Americans love to sue? Then invite the best lawyers in the United States to sue their courts!"

Antero Muriez: "This is a solution. But we need to understand that the cost of litigation in the United States is the most expensive in the world. I think the money we need to spend to save Ravina and his team may not be less than the loss of selling the shares to Milo Blackburn."

Seeing that the two were about to quarrel again, Pierre Simon stepped forward to arbitrate. "Mr. Muriez and Mr. Ferrero both have a point. Why don't we organize people to file a complaint and sue while continuing to communicate with the American?"

Everyone agreed.

"Then let's talk about the second thing."

Pierre Simon: "Regarding the US Department of Commerce's claim that we violated their national security."

To be honest, everyone present felt inexplicably wronged.

A European semiconductor manufacturer whose main business market is not in the United States.

How did it infringe upon the national security of the United States? Is the national security of the United States so fragile? Can a semiconductor company infringe upon it? But we cannot ignore it, because the warning from the US Department of Commerce has indeed been issued.

"According to normal procedures, we need to send someone over to be questioned." Pierre Simon said.

But the problem now is that the company's elite personnel are in American prisons.

Whether it is scientific research or management.

Therefore, if we send more people there now, they can only be the remaining second- and third-line staff of the company.

If the Americans are deliberately making things difficult - which is likely to be the case.

With just these people, can SGS-Thomson Microelectronics pass the US Department of Commerce's consultation? Probably difficult.

The meeting hall fell silent again.

…

…

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

When the French and Italians were in inexplicable difficulties because of their actions.

Milo did not focus most of his energy on these French and Italians.

He was just following the Alstom story.

He just wants to have his own semiconductor company. Is there anything wrong with that? Americans just don't want others to be too competitive in this high-tech field except themselves. Is there anything wrong with that? Probably.

But that's the American way of life.

If I am strong, I am right. If I am strong, I can point fingers at you. If I am strong, I can take your things and you cannot resist.

Well, to be honest, it's not just Americans.

Western countries are similar.

However, the United States, which is dominated by the pirate culture of the Anglo-Saxons, is more direct and blatant in this regard.

Unlike other Western countries, at least it has a nice-looking exterior.

He had now left London and gone to the Alps.

The Alps are located in south-central Europe, covering northern Italy, southeastern France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, southern Germany and Slovenia.

This is the largest mountain range in Europe and also a huge watershed. Many major rivers in Europe, such as the Danube, Rhine, Po, and Rhone, originate here.

The upper reaches of each river have the typical characteristics of mountain rivers, with rapid currents and abundant hydropower resources.

This mountain range can be said to be the backbone of Europeans.

Basically, the best parts of Europe need the water flowing down from this mountain.

But in the past, this was a wild land with a harsh climate.

Except for the mountain people, no one is willing to endure the life here. It is a relatively poor area.

It was not until the Industrial Revolution that the power of modern technology and industry became able to easily withstand severe cold and harsh climates.

The Alps, which were originally deserted and unwelcome, where only mountainous countries could survive, have gradually become a holy place for Europeans to travel by skiing and yearn for nature.

This is like Tibet in the Celestial Empire.

Before entering the modern era, during the feudal dynasties.

No one wants to go to that place. No matter how powerful the Central Plains dynasty is, it can only cover that place with its influence.

No interest, no ability to rule directly.

Because under the condition of underdeveloped productivity, it is impossible to maintain rule in such mountainous plateaus.

But after modernization, especially after economic life improved.

In such places, there are tens of thousands of people who travel to Tibet by car every year in pursuit of spiritual satisfaction...

Food and clothing are sufficient and etiquette is strong.

This also proves that a large proportion of people in China at that time had already been materially satisfied.

So they began to pursue spiritual satisfaction.

From this point of view, it is understandable.

The status of the Alps in Europe is much the same.

It was not until the beginning of this century that more and more outsiders began to move to the vicinity of this mountain range.

After hundreds of years of development, it has become a famous tourist destination in Europe and even the world.

The most famous thing here is, of course, the snow-capped mountains among the majestic ridges and the various sports on the mountains.

For example, skiing.

The mountain range spans multiple countries, so naturally, there are plenty of ski resorts.

Several countries spanned by the Alps have very famous ski resorts.

Although most of Switzerland is located in the Alps, the most famous Alpine ski resort is in Gaul.

Next are the Swiss, Italian and Austrian gifts.

This time, Milo and Irene went to a ski resort in Switzerland.

The destination is Gstaad, a ski resort with 44 blue runs, 21 red runs and 10 black runs, with a total length of more than 200 kilometers.

Cross-country skiing and helicopter skiing are also available.

In the summer, you can also experience glacier skiing here. It is the most fun ski resort in Switzerland.

At the same time, this is also the favorite ski resort for the wealthy and the favorite ski resort for the upper class.

Naturally, the consumption here is also extremely expensive.

But for tourists with deep pockets, this is also excellent value for money.

Because when you are skiing here, you might suddenly meet a movie star or a member of the royal family.

If you are only looking for high-quality skiing and good value for money, it is better to go to the ski resorts in France.

Irene has been to ski resorts in several countries and is a frequent visitor.

But given her identity and status, the place she goes to most often is naturally the Gstaad ski resort in Switzerland.

She came often, so Milo let her make the arrangements.

With Irene taking care of everything, food, clothing, housing and transportation are all of the highest quality.

By the evening of the next day, the two men and their team had arrived in the small town of Gstaad.

It's already getting cold in Gstaad in mid-October.

The whole of Gstaad, and even the higher latitudes in the Alps, only have summer and winter most of the time.

The summer is particularly short, usually only 3 to 4 months.

It snows at other times, but less.

In this place, you can even go skiing in the summer...

(End of this chapter)