Competition policy

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Competition watchdogs examine chip deal
The EU Commission is investigating the acquisition of Israeli chip developer Autotalks by Qualcomm, even though the deal does not meet the corresponding thresholds. This is only the second time EU competition authorities have decided to do so based on new guidelines from 2021. The first case, the acquisition of US medical technology company Grail […] continue reading →
European competition policy needs a fresh start
The Directorate General for Competition needs to be radically reformed because its strategy and competencies are no longer appropriate for the technological world of the 21st century, writes André Loesekrug-Pietri of the Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI). continue reading →
EU summit: discussion over combustion engine phase-out
In Brussels, Chancellor Scholz insists on a proposal by the EU Commission on the use of e-fuels, the authority counters. Commission President von der Leyen now wants to intensify the negotiations. continue reading →
IRA: Vestager proposes concrete changes to state aid rules
Member states are urging to find a response to the Inflation Reduction Act, with which the US government wants to promote eco-friendly technologies. Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager now provides first insights into where she wants to facilitate subsidies for investors. continue reading →
Merger control: EU Commission earns criticism in the USA
The transatlantic dispute over the Inflation Reduction Act has not yet been resolved, and another conflict is already brewing: In the USA, resentment grows over the EU Commission's decision to give itself more leeway in examining planned corporate mergers. Local industry also voices criticism. continue reading →
Antitrust investigation: Amazon promises improvement
Amazon avoids a fine. In exchange, the US company has made concessions in two antitrust investigations by the Commission. “Today’s decision sets out new rules for how Amazon does business in Europe,” said Margrethe Vestager, the competition commissioner in charge of the case, on Tuesday. According to the decision, Amazon can no longer abuse its […] continue reading →
How Europe intends to respond to the IRA
In the dispute between the EU and the USA over the Inflation Reduction Act a compromise is in sight. Nevertheless, the member states and the EU Commission fear a creeping exodus of European industry. At the EU summit, they instructed the EU Commission to develop countermeasures. Many of these measures are already on the horizon. continue reading →
Amazon could soon reach agreement in antitrust dispute
According to insiders, Amazon could reach an agreement in the antitrust dispute with the European Union by the end of the year. It is possible that an EU decision could come by the end of 2022, sources said on Friday. EU antitrust watchdogs declined to comment. Amazon said on request that the online retailer was […] continue reading →
Antitrust authorities intensify scrutiny of Microsoft
Microsoft is likely to face an EU antitrust investigation as regulators intensify their scrutiny into its practices in a case triggered by Salesforce.com’s workspace messaging app Slack, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.Last year, Slack complained to the European Commission, saying that Microsoft has unfairly integrated its workplace chat and video app Teams into its […] continue reading →
Tax dispute with Fiat: EU Commission loses at ECJ
According to the European Court of Justice, the EU Commission was wrong to decide that a Fiat subsidiary in Luxembourg must pay back taxes. There was no illegal state aid, the judges in Luxembourg announced on Tuesday. The Commission’s decision is therefore null and void.In 2015, the EU competition watchdogs had ruled that Fiat’s subsidiary […] continue reading →
Google could face new EU antitrust proceedings
Google may once again be in the sights of the European Commission’s competition watchdogs. This time, Brussels is investigating the regulations for Google’s App Store, according to information from Politico. For this purpose, the competition authority has sent out confidential questionnaires regarding the billing conditions and developer fees for the Google Play Store.The European Commission […] continue reading →