File photo - Alstom CIO, Henri Poupart-Lafarge attends the presentation of the hydrogen deployment plan for the energy transition in Paris, France, on June 1, 2018. The European Union blocked the rail deal between Alstom and Siemens on Wednesday, citing competition concerns. The merger proposal between the French and the German companies planned to create a European rail champion with revenues of about 15 billion euros ($17 billion). However, both firms have a large presence in Europe and there were concerns that the deal could challenge EU competition rules. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM