In a statement, thyssenkrupp said in blocking the combination, regulators used an unfairly restrictive interpretation of competition laws. It also said the companies' offer to divest certain assets should have been sufficient to satisfy competition concerns. 

Donatus Kaufmann, member of the executive board of thyssenkrupp AG, stated that "the consolidation of the European steel industry is still right and necessary, which is also shown by the current critical market situation for steel manufacturers. Overcapacities and high import pressure from Asia create an environment in which the planned joint venture with Tata Steel would not have impaired competition. We regret the European Commission's decision and regard it as too far-reaching and wrong. That is why we are filing a complaint."

The full statement is available here.