Competition
EU set to get WTO green light for US tariffs
One year after sanctioning the EU for its support of Airbus, the World Trade Organization is expected Tuesday (13 October) to let the bloc impose sanctions on the United States for aid to Boeing.
Poland slaps €6.45 billion fine on Gazprom over Nord Stream 2 pipeline
Poland's anti-monopoly watchdog on Wednesday (7 October) said it was demanding Russian gas giant Gazprom pay a €6.45 billion fine over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline linking Russia to Germany.
EU to launch review of state aid rules in early 2021
The European Commission will launch a ‘comprehensive review’ of EU competition rules in early 2021, Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday (2 October).
Cambodia’s textile industry takes EU to court in bid to restore trade perks
Cambodia's garment manufacturers association has brought up a case against the European Commission at the EU court of justice following the withdrawal of duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market over the summer.
EU considers allowing more state aid to boost green projects
European Union governments may be allowed to grant more state aid to projects that help the bloc achieve its climate goals, Europe’s antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said on Tuesday (22 September), calling such an incentive a “green bonus”.
German trust busters get a sharper sword
Germany's ruling coalition has reached an agreement on the amendment to the 62-year old Act against Restraints of Competition (GWB). In the future, authorities will take stronger action against online giants that abuse their market power. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Le Maire hits out at Apple’s market dominance in EU
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire criticised the dominance of foreign firms in European marketplaces on Tuesday (8 September), directly referencing US tech giant Apple's power in the digital arena and calling for the creation of more 'European champions.'
Vestager: Gatekeeper platforms shouldn’t control Europe’s online marketplaces
Europe's online marketplaces should not be controlled by a handful of dominant gatekeeper platforms, the EU's digital chief Margarethe Vestager has said, referring to her bid to reign in the market dominance of tech giants through the EU's forthcoming new competition tool.
Alitalia’s €200m virus aid cleared for landing by EU
The European Commission gave its blessing on Friday (4 September) to the Italian government’s plan to pump €199.45 million into Alitalia, in another example of Rome throwing money at its embattled flag-carrying airline.
Facebook, Microsoft gripes with Apple’s App Store on EU’s antitrust radar
Facebook and Microsoft's grievances over how their gaming apps appear on Apple's App Store may feed into an EU investigation into the iPhone maker's business as EU antitrust regulators said such concerns are on their radar.
EU launches ‘in-depth’ probe of Google bid for Fitbit
The European Commission launched an "in-depth investigation" on Tuesday (4 August) into whether US tech giant Google's planned €1.7 billion purchase of smartwatch maker Fitbit would give it an unfair market advantage.
EU clears creation of world’s second-largest trainmaker
The European Commission on Friday (31 July) signed off on a merger between French trainmaker Alstom and the rail arm of Canadian firm Bombardier, setting a number of competition criteria in the process.
Vestager calls for EU-US ‘common vision’ on platform competition policy
Worldwide jurisdictions and particularly the EU and the US should formulate "common visions" on how best to regulate competition in the platform economy, the Commission's digital chief Margrethe Vestager has said.
Facebook accused of ‘copy, acquire and kill’ tactics in US antitrust hearing
Social media giant Facebook has come in for heavy criticism as part of a US congressional hearing into the dominance of online tech platforms, being accused of ‘copy, acquire and kill’ tactics as part of its history in acquiring smaller...
Commission eyes US GAFA hearing for future competition challenges
The heads of US tech giants Facebook, Amazon, Google and Apple are set to testify in a US congressional hearing on Wednesday (29 July) as part of an ongoing probe into the dominance of digital platforms. For the EU, the hearing could provide a valuable insight into how to address competition challenges in the digital economy.
Spain agrees on terms to open up railway market
Spain's competition watchdog approved criteria on Thursday (23 July) which will allow private companies to compete with state-owned rail operator Renfe's medium-distance and local services, while safeguarding its financial stability.
Vestager hails KLM’s ‘very good’ €3.4bn bailout
The European Commission has approved the Dutch government’s €3.4 billion support package for national airline KLM, despite criticism levelled at conditions linked to pay cuts.
Alstom offers factory sale in return for Bombardier merger approval
France’s TGV high-speed train maker Alstom on Thursday (9 July) offered to sell a French rail factory and make other concessions to win European Commission approval for its planned purchase of Bombardier Inc’s transportation business.
Austria’s trains take over short-haul flight route
Austrian Airlines will cease operating its Vienna-Salzburg route, the flag-carrier announced on Thursday (2 July). Instead, the service will be replaced by more direct trains, in an effort to honour the terms of the government's recent bailout deal.
Alstom ready to sell assets to get EU merger approval
French TGV high-speed train maker Alstom is prepared to sell assets to secure early EU antitrust approval for its bid for Bombardier Inc's rail division, people familiar with the matter said.
Coronavirus prompts airline nationalisation spree
Portugal and Italy are both flirting with bringing their flag-carrying airlines under state-ownership to combat the economic hardships caused or exacerbated by the global pandemic.
Dutch government unveils KLM rescue plan
The Netherlands' national airline, KLM, is set for a €3.4 billion bailout package should it meet certain employment, financial and sustainability targets, the Dutch government announced on Friday (26 June). It still requires regulatory approval from Brussels.
Lufthansa’s €9bn mega-bailout cleared for takeoff
Lufthansa shareholders and the European Commission both approved Berlin’s €9 billion rescue package on Thursday (25 June), as the German airline continues to struggle to ride out the economic slump caused by the coronavirus.