About: Margrethe Vestager
McDonald’s tax deal with Luxembourg ‘not illegal’, Commission says
The European Commission concluded on Wednesday (19 September) that Luxembourg’s tax deal with McDonald’s was not illegal state aid as it did not give the company an unfair advantage, but instead was due to the “mismatch” of US and Luxembourgish tax laws.
‘Circle of five’ carmakers under EU cartel investigation
On the third anniversary of Dieselgate, the European Commission announced on Tuesday (18 September) that its anti-competition team is looking into BMW, Daimler and the VW group for allegedly limiting the roll-out of technology meant to clean up car emissions.
EU regulators to study need for action on common mobile phone charger
EU regulators plan to study whether there is a need for action in the push for a common mobile phone charger following a lack of progress by phone makers towards this goal, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said.
Commission acts against price fixing in online resales
The European Commission levied fines totalling €111 million against Asus, Philips, Pioneer and Denon & Marantz on Tuesday (24 July) for imposing fixed or minimum resale prices on online retailers.
EU keeps Google on the hook following record fine of €4.34 billion
The European Commission slapped Google on Wednesday (18 July) with a record fine of €4.34 billion for abusing its dominant position and said it would continue to investigate as a “top priority” Google's other businesses for possible additional breaches of market rules. The company said it would appeal.
Vestager: ‘I’d like a Facebook that I pay, with full privacy’
In an exclusive interview, the EU's antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, told EURACTIV.com that the US social network Facebook is on her radar screen but not the e-commerce giant Amazon, which is also suspected of abusing its dominant position.
French energy giant Engie hit with €120 million ‘illegal’ state aid ruling
Luxembourg will have to recover about €120 million in unpaid tax from French energy giant Engie, after the European Commission found the Grand Duchy guilty of breaching strict state aid rules.
As expected, Vestager lets Gazprom off the hook
The EU's antitrust regulators have ended their investigation into Gazprom without imposing any fines, the Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager announced on Thursday (24 May). The Russian gas giant welcomed the EU's decision and promised to reform.
Apple, Ireland strike deal on €13bn tax payment
Ireland's government on Tuesday (24 April) said it was signing a deal with Apple for the US tech giant to pay €13 billion in back taxes as ordered by the European Commission.
EU antitrust chief says investigation of Google’s Android, AdSense is advancing
Investigations into how Google may be using its Android smartphone operating system and its AdSense advertising service to thwart rivals are advancing, Europe's antitrust chief said on Wednesday (18 April), amid concern about the lengthy proceedings.
Barnier for President, says Brussels-bubble
Michel Barnier is the top candidate to win the European Commission presidency after next May's European elections, as a reward for delivering Brexit. At least, that is what the Brussels-bubble thinks, according to a survey published on Thursday (12 April).
EU now better prepared to tackle tax evasion
Two years after the Panama Papers scandal revealed the scope of tax haven activities, the EU has adopted new legislation and is now better prepared to tackle tax evasion and fraud. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.
Trump sharpens trade row, threatening to tax German cars
US President Donald Trump has singled out Europe in a billowing trade row, threatening to tax German cars if the European Union doesn't lower barriers to US products.
Italy fumes against company relocations in bitter election campaign
European Union rules are helping less wealthy nations swipe jobs from their bigger partners, Italy's industry ministry said yesterday (20 February), as plans by a multinational to shift production to Slovakia took centre stage in the national election campaign.
Vestager: Bayer-Monsanto deal must preserve digital farming
Bayer needs to ensure that a merger with rival Monsanto does not stifle competition in digital farming, the European Union's Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager told a German newspaper on Saturday (10 February).
F1 teams withdraw EU anti-trust complaint
Two Formula One motorsport teams have withdrawn a long-gestating anti-trust complaint with the European Commission, after the new commercial rights holder convinced them that changes will be made to the way the sport is run.
Commission launches investigation into IKEA’s tax rulings
The European Commission announced on Monday (18 December) that it is investigating Ikea’s tax bills as it suspects that the Swedish furniture maker may have benefited from illegal aid offered by the Netherlands, worth around €1 billion according to some reports.
Ireland makes U-turn, says will collect €13 billion back taxes from Apple
The Irish government has reached an agreement with Apple to start collecting the €13 billion owed by the tech giant, it announced on Monday (4 December).
Commission accuses AB InBev of blocking cheaper beer in Belgium
The European Commission on Thursday (30 November) accused the world's biggest brewer AB InBev of illegally blocking cheaper imports of local favourites Leffe and Jupiler into Belgium.
Commission launches probe into Spanish aid to coal-powered plants
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into Spain's state aid for coal power plants to establish whether it is in line with EU rules, the executive said on Monday (27 November). EURACTIV Spain reports.
Commission launches probe into UK tax exemption for multinationals
The European Commission decided on Thursday (26 October) to open an in-depth investigation into the UK exemptions granted to multinationals to protect them from tax avoidance rules.
Vestager doles out more truck cartel fines
Swedish truckmaker Scania was hit with an €880 million fine by the EU on Wednesday (27 September) for taking part in a 14-year price fixing cartel, boosting the total fine for the firms involved to a record €3.8 billion.
Vestager: We will ‘actively’ watch Google’s remedies
Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager said on Wednesday (27 September) that the institution would “actively monitor” a set of remedies proposed by Google to open up its shopping service to competitors as from tomorrow.