Competition and Industrial Policy

China and EU to talk raw materials next week
Rare earths and magnets are on the agenda.

Diplomatic bombshell as German foreign minister postpones China trip

European giants strike deal on €6B space champion to rival Elon Musk

Von der Leyen warns Europe must defend green tech against China

Parliament stalls EU’s first effort to simplify rules for business

The EU’s new peace offering to Trump: A bonfire of its business rules.

EU leaders demand even more simplification, setting tone for summit
Chinese minister to visit Brussels amid raw materials crunch
China and the EU will “intensify contacts at all levels,” says trade chief Maroš Šefčovič.
EU to stockpile critical minerals amid supply chain threats
Inclusion in 2026 Commission plan follows China’s move to limit export of rare-earth magnets.
Von der Leyen tries to appease EU climate target skeptics
In a letter, the Commission president defends the 2040 goal but offers several concessions to governments.
Ribera says Trump’s tariff threat against Spain makes ‘little sense’
Competition chief said the EU must stand firm in the face of the American president’s “outbursts.”
French companies backtrack from joint deregulation call with Berlin
PARIS — Some signatories of a joint appeal by French and German business bosses to loosen merger rules and scrap environmental laws to promote European industrial “champions” …
EU Commission presents defense plan to protect ‘every’ centimeter of Europe
The EU executive wants to coordinate efforts by member countries to speed up defense preparations.
‘Pendulum has swung way too far’ on EU regulating tech, says German minister
“We have to master technology ourselves,” Karsten Wildberger tells POLITICO.
EU to be ‘ready’ for war with Russia by 2030
The European Commission aims to help the bloc prepare “for the battlefields of tomorrow.”
EU can cut red tape without bowing to Trump, says Denmark
Brussels should stand firm against Washington while seizing the moment to advance its own rule-cutting reforms, Danish foreign minister tells POLITICO.
Dutch seized Chinese chipmaker following US pressure
Newly published court documents shine fresh light on the controversial state intervention.
Europe’s new magnet plant: A silver bullet for industry, climate and geopolitics?
A factory on the edge of the EU needs to prove that the bloc can reduce its reliance on China while ensuring a future for fossil fuel workers.
Dutch government seizes control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia
The move could inflame wider trade tensions between Beijing and the European Union.
Trump wanted a trade deal. Xi opened a new front instead.
Beijing’s rare earth crackdown lays bare the fusion of economic rivalry and national security risk.
Trump threatens to hit China with 100 percent tariff starting in November
In a post on social media, the president also suggested he may cancel a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this month.
Brussels looks to spin its red-tape cuts as a gift to Trump
The EU executive is preparing “checklist” of measures to address U.S. concerns over the bloc’s business regulations.
Google faces UK restrictions over search dominance
LONDON — Google has “substantial and entrenched market power” in online search meaning it will likely face restrictions in the U.K. to curb its dominance, the country’s competition …
China imposes broad new export controls ahead of Xi-Trump meet
Beijing characterizes the move as necessary under its nonproliferation commitments.
Socialists cave to center-right demands to slash EU green rules
The Socialists and liberals folded after the center-right EPP threatened to ditch them and work with the far right instead.
EU tech chief urges ‘stay calm’ in face of US pressure on digital rules
Henna Virkkunen cites “different personal styles” amid criticism of her leadership on the digital rulebook.
Reclaiming Europe’s leadership in connectivity and digital innovation
‘The insatiable dragon is here’: How a banking deal fired up Catalan politics
Catalans don’t want local banking champion Banc Sabadell to be acquired by Madrid-based BBVA, creating a headache for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Dutch chips star exec slams EU for overregulating AI
EU policies mean top artificial intelligence talent is ‘buying a ticket to Silicon Valley,’ says ASML chief financial officer.
EU to set 50 percent steel tariff as opening bid to Trump
The proposal is meant to be a “stepping stone” toward a better deal with the United States, which also charges 50 percent on all steel.
A new era for merger control
EU and UK merger control is evolving into a strategic policy tool, creating challenges and opportunities for business leaders and their advisors to demonstrate innovation, resilience and growth.