Germany has approved the takeover of one of its largest fuel storage operators by a US energy company, despite political and environmental concerns over the new owner’s close ties to former US president Donald Trump.
The economy ministry said on Friday it had cleared the sale of TanQuid, a major operator of fuel storage facilities, following a national security review. The company runs 15 storage sites across Germany and one in neighbouring Poland, making it a significant player in the country’s energy infrastructure.
TanQuid is being acquired by US fuel distributor Sunoco, whose parent company is Energy Transfer, a Texas-based pipeline and energy infrastructure group. Energy Transfer’s chief executive, Kelcy Warren, is a prominent donor to Donald Trump, a link that has drawn criticism from German politicians and environmental groups.
A spokesperson for the economy ministry said the approval reflected confidence in the buyer’s experience in the energy sector, describing the acquiring group as an internationally active company specialising in fuel distribution and energy infrastructure.
The decision comes at a time of strained relations between Germany and the United States. Trade tensions have escalated following new tariffs imposed on European goods, while repeated criticism of Europe’s political direction and controversial foreign policy statements have unsettled transatlantic ties.
Concerns over the takeover were first raised last year when TanQuid’s previous owner, the Australian investment group Macquarie, announced the sale. Members of Germany’s Green Party questioned whether placing strategic energy assets under US ownership could pose risks to European energy security, particularly during periods of geopolitical tension.
Lawmakers also sought clarification on whether access to fuel storage facilities could be restricted by a foreign owner in the event of political or diplomatic disputes, given the importance of such infrastructure for national energy supply.
Environmental organisation Greenpeace strongly criticised the decision, calling the approval a strategic error. It said the move placed critical fuel storage infrastructure in the hands of a fossil fuel corporation at a time when Germany is seeking to accelerate its energy transition and strengthen long-term security.
Greenpeace argued that economic considerations had been prioritised over climate policy and democratic accountability. The group has a long-running legal dispute with Energy Transfer following a US court ruling that ordered it to pay substantial damages related to protests against a pipeline project. Greenpeace has said it will appeal the ruling.
TanQuid plays a key role in Germany’s fuel and energy supply chain. Its facilities store large volumes of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, as well as chemicals and biofuels, and it also operates pipeline networks connecting storage sites to industrial and transport hubs.
The takeover highlights growing debate in Europe over foreign ownership of strategic energy infrastructure, particularly as countries balance investment needs, energy security and climate objectives.
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