Germany, France face hurdles in push to rewrite EU antitrust rules

Germany and France want to overhaul EU mergers rules following the European Commission's veto of efforts by Siemens and Alstom to create a European rail champion to compete with larger foreign rivals.

This is why they want change, and the hurdles ahead: The French want a broader definition of relevant markets, recognition that markets are not set in stone but evolve quickly, and powers for EU ministers to override a Commission decision.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire says this broader approach would go hand-in-hand with an already planned increase in vetting of foreign investment to protect Europe's key industrial assets, and also with a more muscular trade policy.

The aim is to have joint Franco-German proposals by the end of March. Le Maire will discuss the issue with German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier when he visits Germany on Feb. 19.

Altmaier set out his National Industry Strategy 2030 on Tuesday, saying a revamp at German and EU level was necessary to allow businesses to compete fairly at an international level.

Germany wants regulators to take a global view of markets, take into account rivals backed by state financial and political support and give veto power to the European Council — that is the leaders of member states.

Germany's pivot to a more defensive industrial policy is driven by concerns in Berlin about foreign — particularly Chinese - companies acquiring its know-how and eroding the manufacturing base on which much of its wealth is built.

Altmaier and Le Maire want to work on reforming EU competition law in the coming three months, before European Parliament elections in May.

The German government has set up an expert commission which will come up with reforms proposals by autumn. The goal is to push the overhaul during country's EU presidency in the second half of 2020.

Drafted in 1989 and revised in 2004, the European Commission rules ensure that mergers will not significantly reduce competition and push up consumer prices in the 28-country bloc. Regulators have three options: clear the deal, block it or wave it through with concessions.

Complainants can appeal decisions at Europe's top courts in Luxembourg. The EU model has been replicated in a number of Asian countries including China, Africa and parts of South America.

EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager points out the Commission has blocked only nine deals here over the past decade, giving more than 3,000 the green light.