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European Retailers Urge Crackdown on Visa and Mastercard Fees

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Leading European retailers and e-commerce platforms have appealed to the European Commission to address what they describe as excessive and opaque fees imposed by Visa and Mastercard, alleging the charges undermine the EU’s competitiveness and hurt alternative payment systems.

In a letter dated May 13 and seen by Reuters, major industry groups such as EuroCommerce, Ecommerce Europe, and the European Digital Payments Industry Alliance — whose members include Aldi, Amazon, Carrefour, eBay, H&M, Ikea, and Marks & Spencer — asked EU regulators to intervene under antitrust rules. They claim Visa and Mastercard have increased their fees by nearly 34% between 2018 and 2022, with no corresponding improvements in service quality for merchants or consumers.

The retailers argue that the U.S. card giants dominate two-thirds of eurozone card payments and have created a complex, non-transparent fee system that hinders scrutiny or competition. The growing frustration over these practices has also revived interest in EU-backed alternatives like the digital euro, although progress on such initiatives remains slow.

Visa responded by defending its fee structure, saying it reflects high-value services such as fraud protection, operational reliability, and customer support. Mastercard did not issue a comment on the matter.

The letter was addressed to key EU officials, including antitrust chief Teresa Ribera, financial services commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque, and economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis. The signatories are calling for:

  • Regulatory action under EU antitrust laws,

  • Revised interchange fee rules with price caps,

  • Mandatory transparency and non-discrimination rules for card schemes, and

  • A monitoring tool for regulators to oversee card network practices.

This latest appeal intensifies pressure on Brussels to tackle U.S. dominance in the EU payments sector and promote more equitable digital financial infrastructure across the continent.

Germany Warns ‘Nothing Off the Table’ as EU Considers Retaliation Against U.S. Tech Giants

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Germany signaled it is open to all options, including targeting major U.S. tech firms, in response to the United States’ newly announced auto tariffs, with tensions rising over trade policy under President Donald Trump’s administration. A German government spokesperson said on Friday that “nothing is off the table” when asked whether potential countermeasures could include actions against companies like Google and PayPal.

The comment came after Bernd Lange, a prominent EU lawmaker and chair of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, floated the idea of imposing fees on U.S. digital service providers should talks between Washington and Brussels break down. “Ultimately, service providers are not excluded from possible countermeasures, depending on what the U.S. does and how far and where the spiral leads,” Lange said at a press briefing in Berlin.

The rising friction stems from Trump’s decision earlier this week to impose a 25% tariff on vehicles imported into the U.S., a move with potentially serious consequences for Germany’s auto industry—particularly for Volkswagen, which maintains significant manufacturing operations in Mexico and exports vehicles to the U.S. from there.

EU’s Cautious, Coordinated Response
The German government emphasized that any decision on retaliation would be taken jointly with European Union partners and under the leadership of the European Commission. “Decisions must be made jointly and in consideration of the costs and benefits within the European Union… this process is underway,” the spokesperson said.

While Berlin is still hoping to avoid a full-blown trade war, the tone reflects a hardening stance across the EU as economic stakes rise. The EU has traditionally sought to maintain open trade channels with the U.S., but repeated tariff threats and unilateral actions from Washington have pushed officials to begin discussing more assertive counter-strategies.

Digital Services in the Crosshairs
U.S. tech companies like Google and PayPal have long benefited from access to European markets with relatively limited taxation or fees. However, digital taxation has been a contentious transatlantic issue for years, with EU member states debating how to ensure fair contributions from global tech platforms that dominate the European digital economy.

Should negotiations with the U.S. fail, Lange said it would be reasonable to examine fee-based mechanisms targeting these companies as a potential pressure point.

Diplomatic Path Still Open
Despite the rhetoric, Germany stressed that diplomatic efforts are ongoing. “We are still hoping, we are still counting on reaching agreements,” the government spokesperson said, underscoring a preference for resolution through talks over immediate escalation.

As the EU balances diplomatic caution with a growing appetite for strategic autonomy, the coming weeks will likely determine whether rhetoric turns into policy—and whether U.S. tech firms become the next battleground in transatlantic trade relations.

Apple Set to Avoid EU Fine Over Browser Options on iPhones

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Apple is expected to avoid a possible fine and an order from the European Union regarding its browser options on iPhones, following changes made to comply with the EU’s landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA), according to sources familiar with the matter. The European Commission, which launched an investigation in March 2024, is anticipated to conclude its probe early next week.

EU Investigation and Browser Design Concerns

The European Commission had raised concerns over Apple’s design of the web browser screen on iPhones, specifically questioning whether it hindered users from switching to alternative browsers or search engines. The investigation, part of the broader effort to regulate Big Tech, has focused on how Apple’s design practices might impact competition in the digital market.

Closing of Investigation and Regulatory Action

Sources indicate that the European Commission is set to close the investigation soon, with no penalties expected for Apple. This follows the company’s recent changes aimed at addressing the concerns raised under the DMA, a regulation designed to ensure fair competition in the digital market. The DMA aims to make it easier for consumers to switch between competing online services, such as browsers and app stores, while also allowing smaller rivals to have a fairer chance to compete.

Context of EU Regulations

The DMA outlines strict guidelines for Big Tech companies, with fines reaching as much as 10% of a company’s global annual sales for violations. In addition to this case, the European Commission is expected to announce fines for Apple and Meta Platforms in other separate cases involving violations of the DMA. Apple faces scrutiny over restrictions that prevent app developers from informing users about offers outside its App Store for free. Meanwhile, Meta’s case concerns its paid subscription service, which critics argue should offer free alternatives.

Broader Impact on Big Tech

This development comes amid ongoing tensions between the EU and the U.S., especially with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening tariffs against countries that impose fines on American companies. The European Commission has declined to comment on these investigations.