how can Activision and Microsoft merge in the US but not elsewhere?

Question

The FTC lost their appeal to stop the merger of Activision and Microsoft, so I read they can merge tonight after midnight in the US.

I understand other countries like the UK still haven’t approved the merger, but from the companies standpoint, how does this work?

How can one company own another company in the US but not in the UK for example?

In: 1

Answer 1

They might need to sell off the units operating outside of the US or change their plans on the merger.