Ribera has the power to approve or veto multi-billion euro mergers and also slap hefty fines on companies seeking to bolster their market power by throttling smaller rivals. She also oversees the EU’s green agenda and is tasked with keeping it on track to meet the bloc’s 2030 climate goals.
Tensions are running high between Washington and Brussels after Trump’s decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium from Mar 12; reciprocal tariffs from April; and separate tariffs on cars, pharmaceuticals and semiconductor chips.
Ribera pointed to the lack of certainty and predictability across the Atlantic compared with Europe, saying that was not what business wanted in the long term.
“They want an ecosystem and a legal framework that provides certainty, stability and predictability and I wonder why we do not hear this question being raised the other way round towards Trump’s administration.
“I don’t see any predictability, stability or affordability in these announcements, this is a little bit shocking.”
The EU Commission, which coordinates trade policy for the 27-nation bloc, said last week it would react “firmly and immediately” against tariff increases threatened by Trump.
European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic was due to travel to Washington on Monday for meetings with US counterparts.
APPLE, META DECISIONS
The White House’s frequent threats of various shapes and sizes have unsettled executives, investors and consumers, leaving them unclear whether the latest salvos will come to pass, or whether exemptions could be carved out for companies that lobby Trump.
Last week, Ford CEO Jim Farley said Trump’s trade moves have so far added “a lot of cost and a lot of chaos” to American business.
Ribera said the EU is ready to issue decisions next month on whether Apple and Meta Platforms have complied with landmark rules reining in their power.
