Competition and Industrial Policy

Brussels resists pressure from EU capitals to shield exports in US trade fight
If member countries get their way, the EU would only target €25B in U.S. goods for retaliatory tariffs — and not the €95B originally proposed.

Why short-term rental bans won’t solve overtourism in Europe

Google should lose bid to overturn €4.1B EU Android fine, says court adviser

India eyes retaliation against EU, UK carbon border taxes

Anti-Google groups petition EU to break up tech giant

‘Way too soon’ to change EU AI rules, says former top commissioner

Cut red tape on defense deals, says Commission
Trump blasts EU over ‘unfair’ trade offer
Trump said the EU must make a good deal or pay up.
What if Europe became a leader in biotech innovation?
Europe’s wake-up call: Invest in aviation research or lose ground
The region has long been a leader in aviation. However, the sector’s future position hangs in the balance — it is time to invest in research and innovation or risk falling behind.
Forget the G7. Now it’s the G6 vs. Trump.
Western leaders want to jointly pressure Donald Trump to cease his economic war against them, so that they can (finally) cooperate on pressing issues like Russia.
Covid-19 vaccine-maker BioNTech to acquire former rival CureVac
Both German companies have continued mRNA programs on so-called cancer vaccines.
EU and China eye July 24-25 for summit
The meeting in China would mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, and comes amid rising global trade tensions.
EU countries sideline experts in dash to slash green rules
Diplomats warn that leaving experts out of policy discussions on simplifying green regulations will do more harm than good.
EU’s zero-for-zero tariff bid stalls amid US pushback
A renewed offer to scrap tariffs on industrial goods “won’t fly” with Washington, says an official from one EU country.
German auto lobby proposal sparks renewed debate on EU combustion engine ban
The group wants to allow automakers to continue selling some combustion engines after 2035.
Trump’s steel tariff raise misses real target, says EU
“Let’s not target each other” on metals duties, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič urges after meeting U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris.
EU proposes junking strict self-driving car rules in Trump trade talk gambit
The concession is the latest offering from the bloc and marks a dramatic policy shift to end the trade war kicked off by U.S. President Donald Trump.
EU slaps mega fine on Delivery Hero in first no-poach labor cartel probe
Food delivery firms’ boxing-out strategy lands them in hot water with Brussels enforcers.
Trump court turmoil strengthens EU hand in tariff talks
Two separate legal cases tackling Trump’s tariffs may push the U.S. administration to strike a quicker deal, analysts say.
Berlin drafts bill to tax digital platforms
“We consider a tax rate of 10 percent to be moderate and legitimate,” Germany’s culture minister said.
Countries face losing out on billions with EU set to reject Covid recovery fund extension
Italy, Spain and Poland among those at risk as European Commission prepares to say €650 billion scheme’s 2026 deadline is here to stay.
EU launches major Black Sea plan with eye on defense as Putin hovers
Brussels announces strategy to invest in upgrading infrastructure for military use.
Brazil farm lobby to EU: French retailers are illegally disparaging our meat
Brussels finalized a trade deal with the South American Mercosur trade pact in December.
Germany’s power subsidy plans are probably illegal. That’s unlikely to matter.
The EU is increasingly bending its own rules, giving Germany space to negotiate despite fears that Berlin is disadvantaging others.
Trump threatens EU with 50 percent tariff from June 1
Ultimatum comes hours before crunch call between U.S. and EU trade negotiators.
EU, US to discuss tariff offers on Friday
EU stands by its approach in the talks with Washington, Commission spokesperson says.
Arnault rejects Macron’s call to freeze investment in US
LVMH boss says the government should not “meddle” in his business decisions.
Commission exempts 38,000 companies from 8 EU laws
The EU executive is creating a new category of “small mid-cap” companies as it continues a deregulation push.
EU ambassadors agree on €150B defense lending scheme
European Council President António Costa calls the agreement, “an important step toward a stronger Europe.”
Brussels tries (again) to build its elusive single market
We’ve been here before. Will a Commission plan to tear down internal trade barriers work this time?