The German government has managerial control over two cargo airlines in the US (ASTAR and ABX) as they are virtually the sole customer of both publicaly held companies (DHL which is owned by Deutsche Post). Not to mention DHL Logistics (air and ocean freight forwarder as well as owning multiple warehouses in the US). Japan Post is privatizing and has boatloads of cash to spend. China Post will do the same. This is not an unusual deal by any stretch. The only difference is that DWP is owned by an Arab state.
Great, informative posts. Thanks.