Champions grow through competition

Instead of letting governments picking ‘champions’, the EU should strengthen the single market, invest more in innovation and “assertively” pursue fair and equal trade policies, argue Dutch ministers Eric Wiebes, Sigrid Kaag and Mona Keijzer.

Vestager calls for more access to data for smaller platforms

Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager made a suggestion at the re:publica conference in Berlin: "Access to data has to be redesigned so that newcomers can compete with big tech giants".  In a discussion with EURACTIV, she also drew parallels with a recent complaint by Spotify and similar lawsuits. EURACTIV Germany reports.

‘Belt and Road’: Linking up Europe and Asia

Six years after it launched its 'Belt and Road' initiative, China promises to improve the transparency and sustainability of its massive transport infrastructure programme as a way to dispel European concerns.

Vestager campaigns on hostile French territory

Danish Commissioner Vestager, centrist figurehead and part of French Macronists' future family in the European Parliament, does not have support from the French government for fear she will stand in the way of French candidate Michel Barnier. EURACTIV France reports.

Top German carmakers charged with blocking clean emissions technology

BMW and Volkswagen face possible hefty fines after EU antitrust regulators on Friday (5 April) charged the German carmakers and whistleblower Daimler with colluding to block the rollout of clean emissions technology.

Vestager woos Altmaier with industry pitch

European Commission candidate Margrethe Vestager found a lot of common ground with German economy minister Peter Altmaier on Monday (1 April), as the Dane’s campaign appeared to gain momentum.

EU tells China to rebalance relations as it’s no longer a developing nation

The leaders of France, Germany and the European Commission called on Tuesday (26 March) for more reciprocity in trade relations with China, in a sign that the EU no longer considers China a developing country and is increasingly concerned about its growing influence.

Nike fined €12.5 million for antitrust, football merchandise restrictions

The European Commission announced on Monday (25 March) that the popular US sportswear group Nike has been fined €12.5 million for unlawfully preventing cross-border sales of football merchandise, which lead to higher prices and a reduced choice for consumers.

Europe needs to think in the long-term

The European Commission's opposition to the Alstom/Siemens merger belongs not in the 21C, but in last century's old economic mantras. The Commission doesn't seem to have fully taken the measure of how much our world has changed, writes Bernard Spitz.

Commerzbank to quell fears of job losses, trade union to call strike 28 March

The management of Germany's Commerzbank has a clear strategy about the planned merger with Deutsche Bank and is "working hard" in order to reach a decision as quickly as possible, CEO Martin Zielke said in an internal e-mail sent to the bank’s employees and seen by EURACTIV.

Commission fines Google €1.49 billion for illegal practices

The European Commission fined Google €1.49 billion on Wednesday (20 March), after concluding that Google had breached EU laws by restricting rival online advertising services to access third-party websites. 

Google braces for multi-million fine in final EU antitrust case

The European Commission is expected to fine Google over its online advertisement services today (20 March), bringing an end to the last outstanding case in a decade-long antitrust battle with the American digital giant. 

Commission to strengthen anti-subsidies measures by end of year

The European Commission will propose by the end of 2019 new measures to address the negative impact of foreign subsidies and state-owned companies, according to documents made available on Wednesday (13 March), as the EU aims for a more assertive tone towards China.

Dutch increase Air France-KLM stake to counter French influence

The Netherlands announced on Tuesday (26 February) the surprise purchase of a stake in Air France-KLM, saying it needed to protect Dutch interests after a series of rows about the alliance's management.

Barcelona and Madrid clubs team up to defeat Commission over tax regimes

Spanish football teams Real Madrid, Barcelona, Osasuna and Athletic Club Bilbao will not have to repay tax bills, after EU judges said on Tuesday that their tax regimes were lawful, contrary to the European Commission’s verdict.

Commission accuses Telefónica of breaking merger promise

Spanish telecoms operator Telefonica has failed to help rivals enter the German mobile market, breaking a promise made five years ago in return for the European Commission's approval of its acquisition of E-Plus, the institution said on Friday (22 February) in a landmark case.

France, Germany call for a change of European regulatory rules

Less than two weeks after the European Commission blocked the merger of Siemens and Alstom, France and Germany published a joint industrial manifesto on Tuesday (19 February)  calling for the EU merger rules to be changed.

France and Germany prepare plan to create European champions

Following the rejection of the Alstom-Siemens merger, France and Germany are working on a review of the EU’s competition rules to create European champions capable of competing with US and Chinese multinationals.

Tweets of the Week: Brexiteer hell, EU Industry days, and Siemens Alstom merger

Tusk says Brexiteers are in for a world of pain, it’s EU Industry Days again and Margrethe Vestager is not on the train.

Six takeaways from Siemens-Alstom rejection

The European Commission decided on Wednesday (6 February) to block the merger of Siemens and Alstom, meant to create a European champion in the railway sector, due to the negative impact it would have on the European market and consumers.

Juncker prepares the ground for Alstom-Siemens merger rejection

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday (5 February) that the institution “will never play favourites” as the EU executive reportedly prepares to reject the Alstom-Siemens merger, despite intense political pressure from France and Germany.

Le Maire renews push for EU-wide digital services tax

Renewed plans to roll out an EU-wide digital services tax may be back on the cards and could be agreed by the end of March, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said in an interview published on Sunday (20 January).

Electric bikes still face uphill ride in EU as China tariffs take effect

EU rules are doing a lot to promote the use of electric vehicles but tax reform proposals and motor insurance requirements risk undercutting a growing market for electric bicycles.