Competition
EU justice dismisses Starbucks tax ruling case, upholds Fiat
The EU general court rejected on Tuesday (24 September) the European Commission's decision that Starbucks had enjoyed a selective advantage in the Netherlands but confirmed assessment that Fiat had benefited from an unlawful tax ruling in Luxembourg.
Commissioner hearings LIVE: Margrethe Vestager
The European Parliament is grilling the proposed members of Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission in a series of hearings between 30 September and 8 October. On Tuesday, Danish official Margrethe Vestager, nominated as Executive Vice President for Europe fit for the Digital Age, will be questioned by MEPs
CEOs reject watering down Commission’s antitrust powers
A group of European multinational chiefs proposed a modernization of the EU’s competition rules to face the rivalry of US and China’s companies in the digital age, but rejected France and Germany’s proposal to interfere in European Commission’s exclusive powers.
The Brief, powered by ACCA – A €1-billion question for candidate Commissioners
German carmaker Volkswagen is nearing a decision to build a new plant in Turkey. Sources close to the company say the multi-brand factory would cost more than one billion euros.
EU ready to act alone on digital tax if no global deal in 2020
European Union commissioners-designate said the bloc should agree on a digital tax if no deal on the matter was reached at a global level by the end of next year, ramping up pressure on multinationals accused of paying too little.
Thomas Cook collapse will put new EU directive to the test
The collapse of Thomas Cook, the world's oldest travel company, will put the new EU Package Travel Directive to the test. Although the directive allows for the repatriation of holidaymakers, refunds for trips already booked are not guaranteed. EURACTIV France reports.
Agriculture DG loses state aid oversight to boost competition rules
In an unexpected move, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen has decided to move state aid competences in farming and fisheries from two directorates-general, Agriculture and Maritime affairs and fisheries, to DG Competition.
A new team to defend Europe’s economic sovereignty
Achieving a “more assertive” Europe that can improve its competitiveness and sovereignty in an increasingly hostile world. These are the main guidelines of President-elect Ursula von der Leyen to the new College of Commissioners, unveiled on Tuesday (10 September).
EU Commission politics intensifies Greek row over competition post
Sensitive party politicking in the run-up to the appointment of the next European Commission has further escalated an already intense debate in Greece over a new law under which members of an independent competition authority have been ousted.
Tech giants under pressure in the US
About twenty US states are worried about the monopolistic tendencies of tech giants, and are close to launching a joint antitrust investigation next month, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday (19 August). EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
Greek government accused of meddling in competition authority
The Greek opposition has accused New Democracy’s conservative government of attempting to control the country’s independent competition commission. The newly elected Greek government is due to pass a law on Monday (5 August) providing for the dismissal of members and...
Commission fines Qualcomm €242 million over predatory pricing
EU antitrust authority fined €242 million Qualcomm due to the application of predatory prices, resulting in a breach of competition law, Commissioner Margrethe Vestager announced on Thursday (18 July).
Commission opens investigation into Amazon’s handling of data
The European Commission decided on Wednesday (17 July) to launch an antitrust investigation into US online retailer Amazon over its use of merchants' data, in a case that could set a precedent.
Airbnb bows to EU demands on room fees
Airbnb has bowed to EU pressure and will avoid potentially multi-million euro fines after making changes to the way it advertises the fees for its popular room-booking service.
Trump orders French digital tax probe, amid talk of retaliatory tariffs
US President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into France's digital tax plans, which may result in retaliatory tariffs or trade restrictions, should the outcome of the probe identify unfair or discriminatory practices.
Vestager will stay in Brussels, even without EU Commission presidency
Danish EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager will stay in Brussels for a second term, the Scandinavian nation’s new prime minister announced yesterday (26 June), even if she fails in her bid to become the next President of the European Commission.
Trump takes aim at Vestager: ‘She hates the US’
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (26 June) suggested the European Union was out of line in "suing" US technology companies like Facebook and Alphabet Inc's Google, saying legal action against those firms should be the purview of the United States.
Europe looks for its ‘formula’ to create industrial champions
As Europe prepares for a comprehensive update of its competition, industrial and trade policies, experts and private sector representatives have warned against state interventionism proposed by France and Germany.
French economy ministry wants to overhaul EU competition policies
The French Ministry of Economy wants to change competition practices and trade policy in Europe. Its proposals also aim to tackle new digital conglomerates. EURACTIV France reports.
Renault to study Fiat-Chrysler merger offer ‘with interest’
French carmaker Renault revealed on Monday (27 May) that it will “study with interest” a merger proposal tabled by Fiat-Chrysler that, if approved, would create one of the largest automobile companies in the world.
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.
Commission fines AB InBev for protecting higher Jupiler beer prices in Belgium
The European Commission fined AB InBev, the world's largest brewer, €200.4 million for restricting cross-border sales of Jupiler to protect higher prices of its top-selling beer in Belgium.
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.OpinionPromoted content
Vote for 5G: securing the legacy of Robert Schuman
As in 1950, Europe today is again facing the choice of being bold and forward-looking on its future, writes Abraham Liu, Huawei’s Chief Representative to the EU institutions.