WIREDGOV

The coronavirus crisis leaves EU companies vulnerable to subsidised foreign competitors. Fair competition rules should apply to everyone, insist MEPs.

In a plenary debate on 17 June, MEPs expressed concerns that foreign companies receiving subsidies from their governments may try to gain a competitive edge on European companies or even buy them out taking advantage of their financial difficulties in the Covid-19 pandemic.

The European Commission announced earlier that day the launch of a public consultation on how to deal with the distortive effects in the Ssngle market caused by foreign subsidies. Most MEPs speaking in plenary supported the initiative and emphasised the need for fair competition.

The Commission’s consultation looks at general market distortions caused by foreign subsidies, but also focuses on foreign subsidies facilitating the acquisition of EU companies or providing an unfair advantage in bidding for public procurement.

Christophe Hansen (EPP, Luxembourg) said “China is not the only state on a shopping spree for companies weakened by the impact of the pandemic”, but it is “the elephant in the room in this debate”. “If we are to keep up public support for our trade policy, we must equip it with the tools to enforce fair competition,” he added.

“The economic impacts of the coronavirus cannot be used to profit from the weaknesses of businesses,” said Agnes Jongerius (S&D, Netherlands), adding: “We can’t just look on as companies receive unfair subsidies and use them to buy our companies."

“Imagine a football match where the foreign side follows rules that are much easier than those on the home side,” said Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew Europe, France). “What’s the point of even watching the match, because you know ahead of time who’s going to win.”

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