EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said he backed an antitrust probe into Google's powerful adtech services, pledging his support to Teresa Ribera, who is leading work on the "complex" case that "requires thorough assessment." On Monday, he shot down her plan to fine Google over concerns the sanction could impact jittery EU-US trade relations. Today, he said using internal procedures was "nothing out of the ordinary."
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said he backed a European Commission antitrust probe into Google's powerful adtech services, pledging his support to Teresa Ribera, who is leading work on the "complex" case that "requires thorough assessment." On Monday, Šefčovič shot down his fellow commissioner's plan to fine Google, over concerns it could impact jittery EU-US trade relations.
Today, he said he had been in "regular contact" with Ribera and that using internal procedures was "nothing out of the ordinary."
On Friday, EU enforcers told Google that they were lining up a fine against the company, bringing to an end a long-running investigation into a suspected abuse of power in its control of online advertising services.
But after intervention by Šefčovič as well as a letter from the US Department of Justice, the decision was shelved early on Monday morning (see here). Šefčovič is leading talks with the US over new tariff arrangements between the two trading blocs, with Brussels seeking carveouts for large swathes of industry.
"Our internal procedures exist for a reason. Using them is nothing out of the ordinary," Šefčovič told reporters in Brussels. "I do not comment on confidential procedures or internal steps, but rather focus on the outcome," he said.
It is very rare for decisions to be blocked in the final stages of adoption. Internal concerns are usually addressed well in advance of companies being put on notice about forthcoming sanctions.
Šefčovič pledged support for the Google investigation and said Ribera was "fully aware of my support," after admitting to "regular contact over the last few days."
Reading a prepared statement, he said he respected the working processes of the EU's college of commissioners, and that his "priority is and always will be the European interest."
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