The Danone group accused by Donald Trump’s son to act on behalf of China – Liberation

There does not seem to be limits to the imagination (or madness?) Of the Trumpists. The son of American president Donald Trump, Don Junior, recently accused The agrifood giant Danone To act on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by trying to buy the American company Lifeway. These allegations were strongly denied this Friday, April 4 by the French group.

At the end of March, the American president’s son accused the French group in his podcast Triggered act « At least in part, under the implicit-or perhaps explicit-direction of the CPC » in « Trying to orchestrate a hostile operation of taking control of the Lifeway company, based in the American Midwest and specialized in health -related foods ».

“For more than twenty-five years, Danone has been a minority shareholder in Lifeway Foods, an American Kéfir actor (a drink from fermentation, editor’s note). Several weeks ago, Danone made a proposal to acquire the 75 % of the remaining shares, an offer which was refused by Lifeway ”, said the group in a statement sent to AFP following an article published in Les Echos.

The economic daily, which describes a « imbroglio » worthy « Of a spy novel », says that the CEO of Lifeway, Julie Smolyansky, « Stretchy refuses the sale and does everything to prevent it, to the point of being criticized by its own family. » “Danone deplores the misleading and erroneous allegations appeared on social networks about this operation. It is wrong to claim that the interest of our American subsidiary for Lifeway Foods was linked to the Chinese Communist Party ”, Adds Danone, which employs 5,000 people in the United States where it has 13 production sites.

In his podcast, the son of the American president accuses China « To use foreign companies (…) as substitutes to lead their dirty cases on American soil ». He uses extracts from an interview with the Managing Director, Antoine de Saint-Affrique, given to the Official Journal of the PCC in which he says « Impressed » Through Chinese growth and recalls group investments in the country and its intention to continue them. The director general was expressed as part of the China Development Forum where many business leaders around the world were invited.

An article from Daily Mail published Thursday says that « The FBI now warns on the possible existence of a link between China » and Danone. The English -speaking daily quotes an advisor to the boss of the powerful American federal agency « Actively monitors and investigates the growing threat of the acquisition by the Chinese Communist Party of American agricultural land. » Danone told AFP that in her knowledge, no investigation concerning Danone was underway in the United States.