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The proposals have been tabled by European Commission competition chief Margrethe Vestager

EU proposes rules to curb state-backed foreign buyers

The European Commission has proposed rules to restrain companies that benefit from foreign subsidies to buy EU businesses or take part in public tenders, with a particular eye on fending off unfair competition from China.

Business • 05 May 21

Today's €242m fine is the second big penalty levelled against Qualcomm by Brussels

EU fines Qualcomm €242m for 'predatory' pricing

The EU hit US chipmaking giant Qualcomm with a competition fine of €242m, in another blow against a tech titan that is fighting competition battles in Asia and the US.

Business • 18 Jul 19

Mastercard has been fined €570m for hindering competition with banks offering cheaper payment fees

EU fines Mastercard €570m in competition action

The European Commission said today it had fined Mastercard €570.6m for limiting the possibility for merchants to benefit from better conditions offered by banks elsewhere in the European Union.

Business • 22 Jan 19

An investigation into the tax treatment of Nike in the Netherlands has been opened by the European Commission

Nike's Dutch tax status investigated by EU regulators

The European Commission has opened an investigation into the tax treatment of Nike in the Netherlands, saying this may have given the US sportswear maker an illegal advantage.

Business • 10 Jan 19

Ryanair received training aid and funding for a crew and pilot school and for a maintenance hall at Frankfurt-Hahn the European Commission said

EU investigates Ryanair deal at Frankfurt-Hahn airport

The European Commission has opened an investigation into whether Ryanair had benefited from illegal state aid at Germany's Frankfurt-Hahn airport.

Business • 26 Oct 18

The EU said Ryanair received substantial payments in exchange for promoting the Montpellier area as a tourist destination on its website

EU to investigate Ryanair deal with Montpellier airport

The European Commission said it had opened an in-depth investigation into a marketing deal between Ryanair and Montpellier airport in France, to see whether it constituted illegal state aid.

Business • 04 Jul 18

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said it was good to endorse the Enterprise Ireland scheme for SMEs

EU approves Enterprise Ireland scheme for SMEs

European Union competition regulators said they have approved a €10m Irish support scheme for the restructuring of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs).

Business • 30 Nov 17

Commissioner Margrethe Vestager announces merchandise probe

EU opens probe into 'Hello Kitty', Nike licensing deals

The EU's top competition regulator has today launched probes into whether Nike, Universal Studio and Sanrio's Hello Kitty illegally blocked retailers from selling merchandise across bloc borders.

Business • 14 Jun 17

Italy's fourth biggest lender, the bank was the worst performer in European stress tests last year

Preliminary rescue deal for Monte dei Paschi agreed

The European Commission and Italy have reached a preliminary agreement on a state bailout for Monte dei Paschi di Siena that includes heavy cost cuts and a cap on pay for the bank's top executives.

Business • 01 Jun 17

Commissioner Margrethe Vestager