EU Antitrust Chief Engages in High-Stakes Discussions with Tech Titans

In a bid to assert regulatory control and ensure compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s antitrust chief, recently held meetings with key figures from major tech corporations.

The discussions, documented through social media posts, centered around crucial aspects of digital regulation, competition policies, and ongoing antitrust cases. Among the prominent leaders engaged were Tim Cook of Apple, Sundar Pichai of Alphabet and Google, as well as Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm.

Meeting with Apple’s Tim Cook: Vestager emphasized the necessity for Apple to adhere to the DMA, shedding light on the company’s obligation to allow the distribution of apps beyond its proprietary AppStore. Additionally, discussions touched upon ongoing competition cases, notably the one involving Apple Music, highlighting the EU’s commitment to fostering a fair and competitive digital market.

Engagement with Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai: Conversations with Sundar Pichai delved into the design of choice screens, addressing concerns about self-preferencing in relation to the DMA. Vestager also touched upon the Google adtech antitrust case, emphasizing the importance of compliance with DMA regulations. As gatekeepers under DMA, companies like Alphabet are required to make their messaging apps interoperable with rivals and enable users to decide on pre-installed apps, ensuring a level playing field in the digital landscape.

Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon Meeting: While details of the discussion with Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon were not explicitly specified, Vestager acknowledged the centrality of chips in powering the digital transition. Emphasizing the significance of the semiconductor ecosystem for the EU’s economic security, the conversation likely revolved around the role of chips beyond technological advancements, playing a pivotal role in the region’s overall economic strategy.

Broad Discussions with Intel’s Pat Gelsinger: Apart from the meetings with Apple, Alphabet, and Qualcomm, Vestager engaged in discussions with Intel’s CEO Pat Gelsinger. The talks encompassed the EU’s ambition to facilitate continued investments by Intel in facilities within the bloc. This underlines the EU’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for tech corporations to contribute to the region’s economic growth and technological innovation.