The Trump administration is worried that Chinese investors might try to buy Westinghouse Electric, the troubled American nuclear power company that the Japanese conglomerate Toshiba has offered for sale. It is not clear if Chinese buyers might be interested in the business, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week. But the worries highlight the new administration’s stance on China’s global acquisition strategy, and its plans to build up American industries.

Why would China want Westinghouse?

China is a rapidly expanding nuclear-energy power. It has more than 20 reactors under construction and is aiming to double the amount of electricity it can produce at its plants in the next three to four years.

But it lags behind the West in technology. Advanced reactors in China are being built by foreign groups, including Westinghouse, which is installing its next-generation AP1000 units at two facilities in the country.

Westinghouse is believed to have been targeted by Chinese spies. If a Chinese entity were to buy the company, China could obtain secrets without the cloak and dagger.