U.S. Plans for a Google Break-Up Fuel European Antitrust Discussions
A potential divestment order against Google by U.S. regulators has sparked a flurry of interest among European policymakers, signaling a possible shift in global antitrust approaches. “An American spin-off would ignite EU glee,” noted Aurelien Portuese, a professor of competition law at George Mason University in Washington, D.C., adding that such a move could compel Europe to adapt its regulations to match the new commercial landscape presented by a restructured Google, reports 24brussels.
For many proponents of stronger antitrust measures in Europe, the prospect of a U.S. divestment is seen as more feasible than any European initiative. “If a decision like this is taken, it could only come from the U.S.,” asserted Christian Kroll, CEO of Berlin-based search engine Ecosia.
The current political environment suggests that U.S. authorities are likely to take the lead in breaking up large tech corporations. Anne Witt, a professor at EDHEC Business School in Lille, stated that U.S. enforcers moving first on a Big Tech break-up “is both politically and legally logical.”
“The Trump administration has made clear that it will defend American firms against any foreign antitrust intervention,” Witt explained, signaling a challenging landscape for the European Commission in its regulatory efforts.
This political tension was highlighted when Margarethe Vestager, the Commission’s former competition chief, previously raised the possibility of breaking up Google in a 2023 case alleging abuse of dominance in advertising technology. Witt remarked that the suggestion “sent shockwaves through the European antitrust community.”
Historically, the EU has not pursued the option of breaking up an American firm, and it has been rare for it to consider such drastic measures against large European corporations either. As these discussions unfold, the implications for both sides of the Atlantic endure, underscoring the complexities of international competition law.
