M&A Market: JD.com's Ceconomy Concessions Face Rival Criticism

JD.com's proposed concessions to address EU competition concerns over its planned acquisition of Ceconomy have faced criticism from rivals, according to a Reuters report. The European Commission has been informed of the negative feedback this week. Brussels is reviewing the approximately $2.5 billion deal under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and must decide by October 23. JD.com's proposed measures include granting Ceconomy and smaller competitors access to its European logistics and technology infrastructure on fair terms, but rivals deem these insufficient. The EU also investigates whether JD.com benefited from Chinese state subsidies. The process has become a trade policy conflict after China's Justice Ministry instructed companies not to cooperate with EU investigations. If concessions are inadequate, JD.com may need to offer more, risking additional conditions or a block.