The new European Commission (the “Commission”) has an ambitious mandate, with economic growth and competitiveness at its heart. On 29 January 2025, the Commission published a Communication entitled “A Competitiveness Compass for the EU” (“Compass”) to guide its work for the next five years. The Compass outlines a strategic framework aimed at enhancing the competitiveness…
On 15 January 2025, the European Commission (Commission) adopted a recommendation inviting Member States to review investments made by domestic companies into third countries (so-called “outbound investments”). The recommendation aligns with similar mechanisms adopted in other countries, (e.g. the US Department of the Treasury’s Outbound Investment Security Program), and is part of a broader strategy…
With the introduction of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), the European Union (EU) embarked on a new regulatory era. This landmark regulation aims at addressing the distortive effects of subsidies granted by foreign – non-EU – countries to companies operating within the EU, and ensuring a level playing field and fair competition across the internal…
Five years ago, the EU adopted the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Regulation as a key trade measure to address an increasingly complex geopolitical stage. Since it became applicable, in 2020, the number of FDI regimes in place in Europe has almost doubled (from 14 to 24), leading to an aggregate screening of over 4,000 transactions…
The EC sets the highest possible fine of 10% of revenue on Illumina, and for the first time fines target (Grail), for gun-jumping, setting a precedent. On 12 July 2023, the European Commission imposed a fine of €432 million on Illumina (and €1,000 on Grail) for having implemented their merger before approval by the European…
