Europe Daily News, 04 to 07 July 2025

COMPETITION

• Action brought on 21 May 2025 - Condor Flugdienst Vs. Commission (Case T-320/25)
  Re: annulment of Commission Decision C(2024) 4729 final declaring a concentration compatible with the internal market and the functioning of the EEA Agreement (Case M.11071 - Deutsche Lufthansa /MEF/ITA)
• Initiation of proceedings (Case M.11753 - Mars / Kellanova)
• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.12036 - Platinum Equity Group / Solo Group)
• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11991 - BMWE / MOF NDS / Meyer Germany II)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12011 - PPF / ITIS Holding)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12016 - 3G Capital / Skechers)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12007 - Stone Point / GTCR / Ultimus)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.11971 - Equitix / Baltic Cable / Greenlink)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12014 - Stonepeak / Repsol / Pecos Renewables JV)
• Commission clears acquisition of BroadStreet by Ethos Capital, BCI and OTPP (M.11994) - Midday Express
• Commission clears acquisition of joint control of Balance by VNG and CVC DIF (M.11989) - Midday Express
• Commission fines Alchem for participating in a pharmaceutical cartel - See Case AT.40636
• Ireland - CCPC issues warning to motor industry following reports of anticompetitive practices
• Portugal - AdC reopens investigation and reissues Statement of Objection for anti-competitive practices in the healthcare sector
• Shein hit with €40mn fine in France over misleading discounts - Regulators found the fast-fashion retailer, which is facing multiple probes, also made unjustifiable environmental claims - Financial Times

STATE AID

• Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU - Cases where the Commission raises no objections - SA.117991
• Communication from the Commission – Framework for State Aid measures to support the Clean Industrial Deal (Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework)
• Appeal brought on 22 May 2025 by PGI Spain, SL, Berry Superfos Pamplona, SA, Promens Packaging, SA, RPC Envases, SA and Zeller Plastik España, SL against the judgment of the General Court of 12/03/2025 in Case T-596/22, PGI Spain and Others Vs. Commission (Case C-348/25 P)
  Re: annulment of the judgement under appeal; and of the Commission’s Decision C(2022) 3942 final of 8 June 2022 on State aid SA.102454 (2022/N) – Spain and SA.102569 (2022/N) – Portugal – Production cost adjustment mechanism for the reduction of the electricity wholesale price in the Iberian market
• Berlin explores €4bn subsidies for German heavy industry - Germany argues state aid will benefit Eurozone if bloc’s largest economy is revived - Financial Times

TRADE & CUSTOMS

• Request for a preliminary ruling from the Varhoven administrativen sad (Bulgaria) of 16 April 2025 – Direktor na Teritorialna Direktsia Mitnitsa Burgas Vs. Lidikar OOD (Case T-296/25, Lidikar)
  Re: Article 74(3) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013; customs value of goods;
• Request for a preliminary ruling from the Finanzgericht Hamburg (Germany) made on 29 April 2025 - Kinova Europe GmbH Vs. Hauptzollamt Hannover (Case T-313/25, Kinova Europe)
  Re: ‘orthopaedic appliances’ contained in heading 9021 of the Combined Nomenclature
• Agenda for: Trade Policy Committee (Deputies) - 10 July 2025
• Agenda for: Working Party on the United Kingdom - 08 July 2025
• Agenda for: Trade Policy Committee (Services & Investment) - 16 July 2025
• The European Commission formally presented its new Import Surveillance Tool (see the more detailed description and the designated FAQ)
• Answer given by Mr Šefčovič to a MEP written question - Redefining EU-UK relations
• Answer given by Mr Šefčovič to a MEP written question - Seafood imports from the Russian Federation
• EU and China stand-off over climate action before leaders meet - Bloc pushes Beijing to make further cuts to emissions - Financial Times
• Trump to step up tariff pressure with letters to trade partners on new rates - US president appears to be losing patience, with only two deals agreed ahead of July 9 deadline - Financial Times

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY

• Agenda for: Meeting of the Antici Group (Simplification - Defence) - 09 July 2025
• Agenda for: Working Party on Competitiveness & Growth(Industry) - 15 July 2025
• 2026 European Capitals of Small Retail Awards competition is open for application - Midday Express
• EU watchdog warns Ursula von der Leyen against rushing deregulation - EC risks eroding trust by using urgent procedures to cut red tape, ombudsman says - Financial Times

FINANCE

• Commission to cut EU Taxonomy red tape for companies - Q&A
  - Delegated Act amending the Taxonomy Disclosures, Climate and Environmental Delegated Acts & Annexes
• ESMA finds convergence opportunities for pre-trade controls
• ESMA selects Ediphy (fairCT) to become the first Consolidated Tape Provider for bonds
• ESAs sign Memorandum of Understanding with AMLA for effective cooperation and information exchange

EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

• With almost €1 million, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers supports 417 in Belgium after factory closure

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

• Agenda for: Commission expert group on climate change policy - 09 July 2025
• Agenda for: Working Party on International Environment Issues (Int. Chemicals/Synergies) - 10 July 2025
• First Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG-1) of the Global Framework on Chemicals – for a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste (Punta del Este, Uruguay, 24-27 June 2025) - Compilation of statements of the European Union and its Member States
• EU invests €852 million in six innovative electric vehicle battery projects - Q&A and Project descriptions
• Commission seeks views on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans and car labelling
• Nature Credits Roadmap to reward nature-positive action and boost private finance - Q&A
• Better implementation of EU environmental rules protects human health and supports economic growth
• Mondelez calls for EU to delay landmark deforestation law - US chocolate makers are dialling back their support for the environmental regulation under pressure from Washington - Financial Times

HEALTH, FOOD & PRODUCT SAFETY

• Commission authorises use of safe genetically modified soybean as food and animal feed - Midday Express

DATA PRIVACY & CYBERSECURITY

• EDPB - Irish Supervisory Authority fines TikTok €530 million and orders corrective measures following Inquiry into transfers of EEA User Data to China

FUTURE OF EUROPE

• Speech by President António Costa at the opening ceremony of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Appeal brought on 15 May 2025 by Alexander Ponomarenko against the judgment of the General Court of 5 March 2025 in Case T-249/22, Ponomarenko Vs. Council of the European Union (Case C-338/25 P)
  Re: annulment of Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/337, of Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/336, of Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1530, of Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1529, of Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/572, of Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/571, of Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1767, of Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1765, of Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/847 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/849,restrictive measures, Ukraine
• EU and Moldova forge deeper ties at historic first Summit in Chișinău - Q&A
  - Joint Declaration following the first EU-Republic of Moldova Summit
  - Opening speech by President von der Leyen at the EU-Moldova Summit
  - Statement by President von der Leyen with the President of the European Council, António Costa and President of Moldova, Maia Sandu
• Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses