Now it's here, the so often requested stop sign.
The cabinet has prohibited the Elmos company from selling its chip production to a Chinese investor.
The cabinet also vetoed another case.
In contrast to the planned participation of the Chinese shipping company Cosco in the port of Hamburg, the chancellor followed the advice of his ministers this time.
That preserves the coalition peace.
However, it is not a sign of successful political prioritization.
In the case of Cosco, a critical attitude would have been more important than in the case of Elmos.
The former was about influencing Germany's important infrastructure, the latter about a production plant that, according to everything that is known, no longer corresponds to the latest state of the art.
If even such a sale is classified as dangerous, the government would have to say no to most investment reviews with Chinese buyers in the future.
But that would overshoot the mark.
The key question must remain whether there is a risk to public safety in the event of a crisis.
Symbolism is out of place.