Europe archive - The Capitol Forum

The European Antitrust Agenda: Merger Guidelines Offer Clarity to Startup Buyers and Consider Workers’ Rights

Welcome to The European Antitrust Agenda, brought to you by Europe Executive Editor Javier Espinoza and Senior Correspondents Lydia O’Neal, Barbara Pianese, Joanna Sopinska and Catherine Stupp. This week, we look at the leaked draft of the EU’s forthcoming merger guidelines. A boon...

Apr 28, 2026 Read Now >

Publishers Urge EU to Take ‘Immediate’ Measures to Tackle Meta Scam Ads Under Digital Rules

European publishers are urging EU officials to act quickly to force Meta (META) to stop the proliferation of fraudulent advertisements impersonating reporters and media outlets across its platforms in a memorandum to the European Commission seen by The Capitol...

Apr 22, 2026 Read Now >

JD.com/Ceconomy: JD.com Set to File EU Foreign Subsidies Notification Shortly for Ceconomy Takeover, Sources Say

China’s e-commerce group JD.com (9618: HK) plans to file a notification shortly under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) of its takeover bid for Germany’s electronics retailer Ceconomy (CEC: GY), according to two people familiar with the matter. The move forms part of the...

Apr 20, 2026 Read Now >

Ribera: New Merger Guidelines Aren’t ‘Blank Check’ for Deals – ‘On the Contrary’

The EU’s upcoming merger guidelines will not be a blank check for dealmakers, and the European Commission won’t approve deals based on companies’ “wishful thinking,” the top EU official in charge of merger control told The Capitol Forum.   Earlier discussions of a...

Apr 16, 2026 Read Now >

European Proposals for Social Media Bans Create Pressure on VPNs

Plans to restrict children’s access to social media have been sprouting around Europe in the last few months, raising questions about whether kids could easily get around such bans. The attention is making virtual private network (VPN) providers...

Apr 16, 2026 Read Now >

Dismissal of News Publisher Suit Against Google’s AI Summaries Is Setback, Not Death Knell, For Parallel Penske Case; European Regulators Eye Opt-outs

Google’s (GOOG) victory over a lawsuit from two local news publishers accusing the company of leveraging its search monopoly to misappropriate online news content is a clear setback for Penske Media Corporation’s parallel lawsuit before the same judge: U.S. District Judge Amit...

Apr 16, 2026 Read Now >

Paramount Skydance/Warner Bros. Discovery: Top European Cinema Trade Group to Push for In-Depth EC Probe, Sources Say

Europe’s cinema industry is set to escalate its opposition to Paramount’s (PSKY) proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), with one of the sector’s largest trade associationspreparing a formal submission urging EU regulators to open an in-depth investigation into the...

Apr 15, 2026 Read Now >

Volvo Car, Polestar—European Automakers with Chinese Ties—Face Ban from U.S. Market Over Wireless Connection Rule

Volvo Car (VOLCAR-B) and Polestar (PSNY)—two automakers with ties to Chinese ownership—face potential exclusion from the U.S. market under a national security rule covering virtually every modern vehicle that targets not just where cars are built or who writes their software, but who...

Apr 09, 2026 Read Now >

The European Antitrust Agenda: Divisions Eclipse EU-U.S. Digital Rule ‘Dialogue’; CMA Microsoft Probe Tests Soft Approach on Big Tech

Welcome to The European Antitrust Agenda (…) Ronan Scanlan, partner at Steptoe, told The Capitol Forum that the CMA appears to be taking a pragmatic approach, accepting voluntary commitments instead of imposing remedies or opening a lengthy SMS investigation into the cloud sector....

Apr 07, 2026 Read Now >

Next Head of EU Competition Watchdog Faces Souring U.S. Relations, Telecoms’ Consolidation Push

The frontrunner to head the European Commission’s competition watchdog, a nearly three-decade veteran of the EU executive, will have to perform some tricky balancing acts if he ultimately takes the helm – from conflicting views of how the bloc should achieve “competitiveness” to...

Apr 03, 2026 Read Now >

Merger Monthly: With FCC, DOJ Aid, Nexstar’s Rush-Close Strategy Worked—Until it Didn’t; Outlook for Key Transactions Including Boston Scientific /Penumbra, Paramount Skydance/Warner Bros. Discovery, and Providence Equity Partners/Cantaloupe

Nexstar’s (NXST) March 19 decision to close its $6.2 billion purchase of Tegna over pending lawsuits from eight state attorneys general and DirecTV was one of the most aggressive maneuvers by an acquiring party in recent memory. But the more consequential story may be what deal...

Apr 01, 2026 Read Now >

Booking CEO Warns Google’s Gemini, ChatGPT Could Squeeze Out Small Hotels

Booking (BKNG) CEO Glenn Fogel raised fresh concerns about the influence of artificial intelligence tools like Google’s (GOOG) Gemini on how people find hotels online and said he’s happy regulators are scrutinizing the search giant’s AI-generated answers to search queries under...

Mar 25, 2026 Read Now >

Paramount Skydance/Warner Bros. Discovery: EC Asks Questions Related to Foreign Subsidies Probe, Sources Say

The European Commission has sent fresh requests for information (RFIs) to Paramount Skydance (PSKY) as part of its foreign subsidies investigation into the company’s proposed $81 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), according to two sources familiar with the probe. The...

Mar 24, 2026 Read Now >

EU Preparing First Google Fines Under Digital Rules as Soon as This Month, Sources Say

The European Commission is preparing two fines against Google (GOOG) for alleged breaches of the EU’s digital competition rules as soon as this month, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The long-awaited final decisions mark the first penalties for the technology giant...

Mar 09, 2026 Read Now >

EU Cookie Banner Cleanup Plan Faces Conflicting Pushback, Echoing Tensions That Tanked Past Efforts

The European Commission’s plan to relieve internet users of much-hated cookie consent banners is generating intense and, in some cases, conflicting opposition from a variety of interests, throwing its future – and at the very least its objective – into doubt. As parliamentarians and...

Feb 24, 2026 Read Now >

EU Likely to Publish Industrial Accelerator Act Next Week Despite Internal Divisions, Sources Say

The European Commission is expected to proceed next week with the publication of its Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), despite significant internal resistance, according to three people familiar with the matter. The proposal, drafted by the commission’s industry and internal market...

Feb 20, 2026 Read Now >

Meta Faces Scam-Ad Complaint Under EU Digital Rules

Swedish media companies are accusing Meta (META) of violating the EU’s digital content-moderation and advertising-transparency rules by allegedly allowing rampant scam advertisements on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, according to a complaint seen by The Capitol Forum. The complaint...

Feb 18, 2026 Read Now >

EU Advances Visa, Mastercard Probes with New Questions, File Requests, Sources Say

The European Commission has in recent weeks asked parties involved in its investigations of Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA) to prepare non-confidential versions of documents detailing complaints about the companies’ conduct, so that the submissions can be added to the official case...

Feb 16, 2026 Read Now >

Kimberly-Clark/Kenvue: Rivals Expected to Raise Portfolio Concerns but Clearance Still Likely, Sources Say

Kimberly-Clark’s (KMB) proposed $48.7 billion acquisition of Kenvue (KVUE) is expected to face pushback from rival suppliers in Europe, who are concerned that the combined group’s broad portfolio in key consumer categories could strengthen its bargaining leverage with retailers and...

Feb 13, 2026 Read Now >

Berlin’s China Dilemma Tests Europe’s Push for ‘Buy European’ Strategy

Germany’s deep economic integration with China, particularly in the automotive and chemicals sectors, has emerged as a major obstacle to Europe’s shift towards more protectionist trade and investment policies, a Capitol Forum analysis shows. Resistance is also building among EU member...

Feb 11, 2026 Read Now >

EU Nvidia Scrutiny Intensifies with New Questions on Data Center Components, Sources Say

The European Commission has in recent months questioned industry players about definitions of products involved in data centers as part of an antitrust investigation into Nvidia (NVDA), two sources familiar with the matter said. The commission has also asked whether different data...

Feb 11, 2026 Read Now >

EU Plans Major Sanctions Overhaul Targeting Russian Oil, LNG and Evasion Routes, Draft Proposal Shows

With Russia’s war in Ukraine nearing its fourth anniversary, the European Commission has proposed a new sanctions package that would enable a full ban on maritime services for Russian crude oil, remove the crude oil price cap, prohibit LNG terminal services for Russian entities, and...

Feb 11, 2026 Read Now >

Deutsche Boerse/Allfunds: Deutsche Boerse Chief Makes Case in Brussels for Landmark EU Deal, Sources Say

Deutsche Boerse (DBKG) chief executive Stephan Leithner has recently met senior officials from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition in Brussels to argue that its planned merger with Allfunds (ALLFUN) is essential to creating a ‘European champion’ in the...

Feb 11, 2026 Read Now >

Trump Triggers Revival of Big Tech Digital Services Tax Talks Among EU Officials

U.S. President Donald Trump may have walked back threats to seize Greenland militarily and impose tariffs on exports of European countries that stand in his way – but the damage is done. His willingness to jeopardize transatlantic alliances has prompted EU officials to take a hard look...

Jan 28, 2026 Read Now >

Major UK Phase 2 Will Push CMA Analysis on Economic Growth Claims and Market Definitions, Sources Say

The UK Competition and Markets Authority’s fast-tracked phase 2 review of Associated British Foods’ (LON: ABF) proposed acquisition of Hovis will likely broaden the enforcer’s willingness to accept economic-growth focused arguments about failing firms, rivalry-enhancing...

Jan 26, 2026 Read Now >

Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery: Paramount to File Hostile WBD Bid in Brussels, Seeking Early Clearance Before Netflix Vote

Paramount (PSKY) is preparing to file its hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) with the European Commission as early as this month to potentially get the deal cleared by the EC before Warner’s shareholders vote for the competing Netflix deal in April, according to two people...

Jan 21, 2026 Read Now >

Vestager Urges Officials to Abandon X, Compares Social Media to Smoking Indoors

Civil servants and public bodies need to stop posting on X as Europe looks to depend less on American tech platforms and develop homegrown competitors, former EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in an interview. As European regulators confront X over its AI tool Grok,...

Jan 14, 2026 Read Now >

Capitol Forum’s Tech Policy 2026 Predictions: Brinkema Will Break Up Google’s Ad Tech Monopoly, DOJ and/or States Will Appeal Google Search Remedy, Open AI Will Take Feud with Google to Europe, Big Tech Will Push for Trade Policy ‘Get Out of Jail Free Card’

As part of our tech policy coverage, we are launching our annual predictions on some of the most meaningful events expected to take place in 2026, which we will track regularly throughout the year. To discuss these predictions with Executive Editor Teddy Downey, please join us for a...

Jan 08, 2026 Read Now >

AkzoNobel/Axalta: Merger Likely to Face In-Depth EU Antitrust Probe, Sources Say

AkzoNobel’s (AKZA) $25 billion acquisition of rival coatings manufacturer Axalta (AXTA) could well be facing an in-depth European Union antitrust investigation and potential structural remedy demands due to the combined company’s likely dominance in the powder coating market,...

Jan 06, 2026 Read Now >

EU Commission Set to Reject Dumping Complaint Against Chinese Steel Imports

In an unusual move, the European Commission is planning to reject a dumping complaint against Chinese imports of alloy tool steel, according to a note published in its documents register. Trade lawyers working on similar cases, speaking to The Capitol Forum on condition of anonymity, said...

Jan 05, 2026 Read Now >

X to Face Fine Under EU Digital Rules as Soon as Friday, Sources Say

The European Commission is poised to fine X in the coming days and possibly as soon as Friday in what would be the executive’s first-ever sanction under its content moderation and transparency law, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. The timing could still...

Dec 04, 2025 Read Now >

Tech/Media/Telecom Weekly: USTR Delivering Big Wins for Big Tech; Experts See Challenges to State AG Effort to Pause HPE/Juniper Integration; Uber, Yardi, RealPage Litigation Updates; Apple vs. App Store Legislation; Massachusetts Privacy Bill Outlook; Nexstar/Tegna Takes Another Hit; Bankers Concerned with AWS Security

We are always innovating here at The Capitol Forum, and we want to introduce our first edition of the new Tech/Media/Telecom Weekly. In this edition: Trade Policymakers Outlook: As trade fight between Trump and Europe over Europe’s digital sovereignty rages, Big Tech has already...

Dec 02, 2025 Read Now >

Getty/Shutterstock: DOJ Hears from Industry Players About Stock Photo Sector Dominated by Merging Parties and Adobe

DOJ staff reviewing Getty Images’ (GETY) proposed $3.7 acquisition of rival Shutterstock (SSTK) has recently questioned multiple industry participants who said the stock photography market is dominated by the two merging parties, especially for large corporate customers, according to...

Nov 14, 2025 Read Now >

Boeing/Spirit Aerosystems: FTC Leans Toward Clearing Deal Subject to Behavioral Remedies; DOD’s Final Views Still Pending

The FTC is leaning toward clearing Boeing’s (BA) proposed $8.3 billion acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems (SPR) with behavioral remedies to ensure the buyer’s military contractor rivals would retain post-merger access to Spirit’s aircraft parts, sources familiar with the matter said....

Nov 14, 2025 Read Now >

Meta Heading Toward More EU Fines for Breaking Digital Rules as Apple Makes Progress, Sources Say

Meta (META) is veering toward potentially hefty penalties under the EU’s digital antitrust rules as talks with the enforcer over changes to its “pay-or-consent” data use model for users of its social networks have proved unproductive, according to two sources familiar with the...

Nov 10, 2025 Read Now >

EU to Probe Chinese Thermal Paper Subsidies After Industry Complaint, Sources Say

The European Commission is set to open an anti-subsidy investigation into imports of lightweight thermal paper from China, according to people familiar with the matter. The move comes in response to a request from EU manufacturers seeking protection from what they claim are unfairly...

Nov 03, 2025 Read Now >

EU Advances Cookie Consent Overhaul in Controversial Move that Risks Re-opening Landmark Privacy Rules

Brussels is weighing a politically charged plan to scrap the EU rules that underpin the ubiquitous “accept cookies” pop-ups, with senior officials mulling over the move as early as today, said two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. The step would lead to the reopening of the...

Oct 31, 2025 Read Now >

Brussels Set to Probe Chinese Tire Subsidies Amid EU Industry Complaint, Sources Say.

The European Commission is poised to launch an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese imports of passenger car and light truck tires, following a formal complaint from EU manufacturers, according to two people familiar with the matter. The surge in Chinese imports—fuelled by state...

Oct 31, 2025 Read Now >

EU’s €234 billion Bid to Close Investment Gap in Strategic Sectors Progressing Smoothly, Leaked Draft Shows

The Capitol Forum has obtained the latest version of the European Union’s proposal for a €234 billion “Competitiveness Fund” to boost the bloc’s digital, defense, clean energy and biotech industries, ahead of political negotiations on the draft next month. The latest draft was...

Oct 31, 2025 Read Now >

Saudi Role in Electronic Arts Takeover Likely to Face EU Scrutiny Under Foreign Subsidies Rules, Sources Say

The European Commission is expected to assess whether Saudi Arabia’s role in a consortium to acquire Electronic Arts (EA) for $55 billion will give the country outsized influence over the EU gaming sector, multiple sources told The Capitol Forum. The U.S.-based videogames company is...

Oct 21, 2025 Read Now >

Ski Gear Maker Tecnica Confirms EU Antitrust Raid of Austrian Facility

Tecnica Group, the Italian owner of the Rollerblade inline skates brand, was among the companies raided by the European Commission as part of a cartel investigation into the ski equipment sector yesterday, a company spokesperson told The Capitol Forum. Commission representatives visited...

Oct 21, 2025 Read Now >

CMA Faces First Major Test of Labour’s Pro-Consumer Agenda with Food Retail Tie-Ups

Greencore’s (LON: GNC) $1.6 billion proposed purchase of Bakkavor (LON: BAKK) and Kingsmill’s (LON: ABF) $100 million planned merger with Hovis are likely to test the Competition and Markets Authority’s appetite to intervene in UK-specific mergers following clear messaging from the...

Oct 17, 2025 Read Now >

Google Proposes New Search Changes Amid Threat of Fresh Fine Under EU Digital Rules

Google (GOOG) is proposing additional changes to results for shopping queries in its dominant search engine amid pressure to dodge a potential fine from the European Commission under the EU’s digital rules, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The commission in March...

Oct 13, 2025 Read Now >

SHEIN and Temu Look to Europe for Growth After End of De Minimis Exemption in U.S., Raising Concerns Among EU Policymakers

Chinese e-commerce companies Temu and SHEIN will no longer be able to rely on their low-cost direct-to-consumer model in the U.S. following the end of a trade exemption known as de minimis. As the companies look to Europe for growth, however, European policymakers are preparing to push...

Oct 06, 2025 Read Now >

EU to Propose Steep Tariffs on Excess Steel Imports to Curb Chinese Overcapacity and Re-engage with U.S.

Brussels is set to unveil a new trade instrument next week aimed at curbing tariff-free steel imports linked to global overcapacity, particularly from China. The move is also intended to lay the groundwork for negotiations with Washington over the removal of Trump’s tariffs that...

Oct 03, 2025 Read Now >

UK Merger Review in Retreat: Lawyers Declare ‘Open Season’ as They Tell Companies to Skip Notifying Deals

Deal advisors in the UK are starting to see a window of opportunity for completing more complicated global mergers without intervention from the antitrust agency, as the Competition and Markets Authority sticks to the government’s economic growth agenda. Some lawyers view the CMA’s...

Oct 02, 2025 Read Now >

Mars/Kellanova: EC Leaning Towards Clearing Deal, Sources Say

The European Commission is leaning towards clearing Mars’s $36 billion proposed acquisition of Kellanova (K) without remedies because it’s struggling to back up the concerns that motivated its in-depth review, according to sources familiar with the probe. The enforcer last week...

Oct 02, 2025 Read Now >

Anglo American/Teck Resources: Merger Set to Face ‘Canada Strong,’ ‘America First’ Agendas in Foreign Investment Reviews

London-based Anglo American (LSE: AAL) and Teck Resources’ (TECK) plan to create a $50 billion-plus copper-mining behemoth will likely encounter regulatory scrutiny driven by “Canada Strong” and “America First” agendas. In Ottawa, the main focus will be on whether the deal...

Oct 01, 2025 Read Now >

ADNOC/Covestro: Remedies Expected to be Filed as Early as Wednesday, Sources Say

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is set to file remedies with the European Commission as early as tomorrow in a bid to clear its €14.7 billion acquisition of German chemicals company Covestro (COV: ETR), sources said. The proposed remedies will address the major concerns raised...

Sep 30, 2025 Read Now >

Linde Gas: FDA Observes Serious Problems with NOxBOXi Device that Led to Neonatal Deaths and Injuries; Company Repeatedly Failed to Identify Patterns in Malfunctions, Investigate and Address Known Issues That Could Cause Death, and Report Problems to the FDA

Linde Gas (LIN), the world’s largest industrial gas supplier, repeatedly failed to appropriately investigate and fix serious problems with its NOxBOXi device, which administers inhaled nitric oxide therapy to newborns and monitors nitrogen dioxide and oxygen levels, according to a...

Sep 30, 2025 Read Now >

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