EUs foreign-subsidy powers kick in amid debate and fears of red tape
The European Union has new powers to police subsidies handed out by foreign governments \u2014 powers designed to ensure that state support doesn\u2019t distort merger activity and public procurement. However, with new powers comes great responsibility \u2014 and a solid supply of red tape. The European Commission will also be able to open investigations into state subsidies of its own initiative \u2014 yet achieving the goal of a level playing field may yet prove elusive.