As companies brace for the impact of 2016’s political shocks and looming elections next year, global appetite for mega mergers may slow amid the prospect of increased protectionism. The outcome of the U.S. elections and Brexit will result in more protectionism in both countries, said Ying Zhang, associate dean for China at the Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University. There could be “huge resistance” to foreign acquirers as a consequence, she said.