Barbara Moens
@bmoens.bsky.social
EU correspondent Financial Times, covering tech and competition.
Get in touch: barbara.moens@ft.com
Get in touch: barbara.moens@ft.com
Pinned
Barbara Moens
@bmoens.bsky.social
· Feb 3
Today is my first day at the @financialtimes.com. Very keen to talk about all things tech, digital and competition policy. You can reach me at barbara.moens@ft.com
Google’s top legal officer Kent Walker warned that Europe risks undermining its own competitiveness drive by restricting access to foreign technology by ‘erecting walls’ as Brussels steps up efforts to reduce its reliance on US tech giants.
Interview ⬇️
as.ft.com/r/9ff5c35a-d...
Interview ⬇️
as.ft.com/r/9ff5c35a-d...
Google warns EU against ‘erecting walls’ in tech sovereignty push
[FREE TO READ] Europe risks undermining its own competitiveness drive through curbs on US groups, tech company says
as.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Google’s top legal officer Kent Walker warned that Europe risks undermining its own competitiveness drive by restricting access to foreign technology by ‘erecting walls’ as Brussels steps up efforts to reduce its reliance on US tech giants.
Interview ⬇️
as.ft.com/r/9ff5c35a-d...
Interview ⬇️
as.ft.com/r/9ff5c35a-d...
Reposted by Barbara Moens
Europe must avoid a “war” between member states and Brussels over speed of deregulation and competitiveness issues, the Belgian PM has warned.
On the ground from the Alden Biesen leaders’ retreat w/ @bmoens.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/2cf55296-0...
On the ground from the Alden Biesen leaders’ retreat w/ @bmoens.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/2cf55296-0...
EU must avoid ‘war’ with member states over deregulation, Belgian PM warns
[FREE TO READ] Bart De Wever says European Commission should not get ‘all the blame’ ahead of leaders’ summit
as.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Europe must avoid a “war” between member states and Brussels over speed of deregulation and competitiveness issues, the Belgian PM has warned.
On the ground from the Alden Biesen leaders’ retreat w/ @bmoens.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/2cf55296-0...
On the ground from the Alden Biesen leaders’ retreat w/ @bmoens.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/2cf55296-0...
Europe’s telecom industry is losing momentum in its push to persuade Brussels to loosen the EU’s merger rules to allow more consolidation, especially within countries.
as.ft.com/r/3bbcc263-9...
as.ft.com/r/3bbcc263-9...
The fading hopes of Europe’s telcos
[FREE TO READ] Sector companies are struggling to win Brussels’ backing for consolidation
as.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:02 AM
Europe’s telecom industry is losing momentum in its push to persuade Brussels to loosen the EU’s merger rules to allow more consolidation, especially within countries.
as.ft.com/r/3bbcc263-9...
as.ft.com/r/3bbcc263-9...
EU capitals have to set aside national interests and finally tackle the bloc’s regulatory inertia, according to António Costa.
He called on leaders to “give a very strong political message to their governments.”
With @alicemhancock.bsky.social @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/aadb1088-2...
He called on leaders to “give a very strong political message to their governments.”
With @alicemhancock.bsky.social @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/aadb1088-2...
EU needs a ‘big bang’ on regulation, says top official
[FREE TO READ] European Council president António Costa blames national capitals for inertia that has left economy trailing China
as.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:58 AM
EU capitals have to set aside national interests and finally tackle the bloc’s regulatory inertia, according to António Costa.
He called on leaders to “give a very strong political message to their governments.”
With @alicemhancock.bsky.social @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/aadb1088-2...
He called on leaders to “give a very strong political message to their governments.”
With @alicemhancock.bsky.social @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/aadb1088-2...
The EU is this week set to approve Universal Music Group’s planned $775mn acquisition of Downtown Music, people briefed on the decision said, despite claims that the deal would hand too much power to the industry’s largest player.
www.ft.com/content/627a...
www.ft.com/content/627a...
Universal’s Downtown Music takeover to get EU blessing
Biggest label will offload royalty services business to allay competition concerns
www.ft.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:23 AM
The EU is this week set to approve Universal Music Group’s planned $775mn acquisition of Downtown Music, people briefed on the decision said, despite claims that the deal would hand too much power to the industry’s largest player.
www.ft.com/content/627a...
www.ft.com/content/627a...
European countries are edging closer to broad social media bans for children, even as doubts persist over how to implement them and the risk of a new battle with US tech groups.
A deep dive with Leila Abboud & @NicFildes
www.ft.com/content/cf46...
A deep dive with Leila Abboud & @NicFildes
www.ft.com/content/cf46...
Can Europe get kids off social media?
Move follows Australia’s decision to introduce age restrictions over child safety concerns
www.ft.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:20 PM
European countries are edging closer to broad social media bans for children, even as doubts persist over how to implement them and the risk of a new battle with US tech groups.
A deep dive with Leila Abboud & @NicFildes
www.ft.com/content/cf46...
A deep dive with Leila Abboud & @NicFildes
www.ft.com/content/cf46...
Europe should focus on investing in tech instead of creating more digital legislation, Dariusz Standerski, state secretary at Poland’s digital affairs ministry, said about the upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act and the Quantum Act.
www.ft.com/content/ff37...
www.ft.com/content/ff37...
Putin’s week-long ‘ceasefire’ will test Kremlin’s appetite for peace
Also in this newsletter: Poland calls for more tech money, not red tape
www.ft.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Europe should focus on investing in tech instead of creating more digital legislation, Dariusz Standerski, state secretary at Poland’s digital affairs ministry, said about the upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act and the Quantum Act.
www.ft.com/content/ff37...
www.ft.com/content/ff37...
The EU should not “renounce anything that may be necessary to defend its interests” if US President Donald Trump delivers on his threats, the bloc’s competition chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu told the FT.
With @andybounds.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/6360241b-a...
With @andybounds.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/6360241b-a...
EU should not hold back on Trump retaliation, says bloc’s competition chief
[FREE TO READ] Also in this newsletter: Europe replaces one gas dependency for another
as.ft.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:20 AM
The EU should not “renounce anything that may be necessary to defend its interests” if US President Donald Trump delivers on his threats, the bloc’s competition chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu told the FT.
With @andybounds.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/6360241b-a...
With @andybounds.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/6360241b-a...
Brussels has drawn up detailed options for retaliation, officials said, but is holding back its strongest measure in the hope of a diplomat solution.
@hennavirkkunen.bsky.social told the FT the priority is engagement, but that "we have also tools at our disposal here."
www.ft.com/content/1ef9...
@hennavirkkunen.bsky.social told the FT the priority is engagement, but that "we have also tools at our disposal here."
www.ft.com/content/1ef9...
Denmark dispatches additional troops to Greenland as tensions rise
Donald Trump declines to rule out using force to seize control of Arctic island
www.ft.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Brussels has drawn up detailed options for retaliation, officials said, but is holding back its strongest measure in the hope of a diplomat solution.
@hennavirkkunen.bsky.social told the FT the priority is engagement, but that "we have also tools at our disposal here."
www.ft.com/content/1ef9...
@hennavirkkunen.bsky.social told the FT the priority is engagement, but that "we have also tools at our disposal here."
www.ft.com/content/1ef9...
EU to bar Chinese suppliers such as Huawei from critical infrastructure such as telecom and solar panels, as Brussels rethinks it security and tech policies.
as.ft.com/r/06943136-8...
as.ft.com/r/06943136-8...
Brussels in move to bar Chinese suppliers from EU’s critical infrastructure
[FREE TO READ] Proposed Cybersecurity Act would phase out groups such as Huawei and ZTE from telecom networks and solar energy systems
as.ft.com
January 17, 2026 at 6:38 AM
EU to bar Chinese suppliers such as Huawei from critical infrastructure such as telecom and solar panels, as Brussels rethinks it security and tech policies.
as.ft.com/r/06943136-8...
as.ft.com/r/06943136-8...
European officials and companies are increasingly concerned over Elon Musk’s possible future control over a strategically sensitive slice of the EU satellite spectrum used for mobile services such as cell phones.
More in today's Europe Express newsletter
www.ft.com/content/7531...
More in today's Europe Express newsletter
www.ft.com/content/7531...
EU frets over possible takeover of satellite frequencies by Musk’s Starlink
Also in this newsletter: Europe’s pallet industry under pressure from bureaucracy and trade woes
www.ft.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:19 AM
European officials and companies are increasingly concerned over Elon Musk’s possible future control over a strategically sensitive slice of the EU satellite spectrum used for mobile services such as cell phones.
More in today's Europe Express newsletter
www.ft.com/content/7531...
More in today's Europe Express newsletter
www.ft.com/content/7531...
EU competition chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu is facing a delicate tightrope on how the EU will police mergers, while also deciding on new leadership at DG Comp.
Ribera wants a decision soon and prefers a woman that is “sound" and "respected," she told the FT.
www.ft.com/content/2c9c...
Ribera wants a decision soon and prefers a woman that is “sound" and "respected," she told the FT.
www.ft.com/content/2c9c...
Showdown in Brussels over competition policy is nearing
The EU’s rewrite of merger guidelines has become a battleground for how much leeway companies should have on M&A
www.ft.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:29 AM
EU competition chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu is facing a delicate tightrope on how the EU will police mergers, while also deciding on new leadership at DG Comp.
Ribera wants a decision soon and prefers a woman that is “sound" and "respected," she told the FT.
www.ft.com/content/2c9c...
Ribera wants a decision soon and prefers a woman that is “sound" and "respected," she told the FT.
www.ft.com/content/2c9c...
This year, the EU faces a difficult balancing act as it wants to enforce its digital rules without provoking Trump into siding with Russia on Ukraine.
"You’re just a little bit more quiet perhaps than you otherwise would be” said Fiona Scott Morton.
www.ft.com/content/ca6f...
"You’re just a little bit more quiet perhaps than you otherwise would be” said Fiona Scott Morton.
www.ft.com/content/ca6f...
EU readies tougher tech enforcement in 2026 as Trump warns of retaliation
Challenges to Google, Meta, Apple and X will test Brussels’ willingness to stick with digital rule book
www.ft.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:26 AM
This year, the EU faces a difficult balancing act as it wants to enforce its digital rules without provoking Trump into siding with Russia on Ukraine.
"You’re just a little bit more quiet perhaps than you otherwise would be” said Fiona Scott Morton.
www.ft.com/content/ca6f...
"You’re just a little bit more quiet perhaps than you otherwise would be” said Fiona Scott Morton.
www.ft.com/content/ca6f...
The EU needs to stand behind its digital rule book and green standards while deepening the single market to ensure the EU remained competitive in a global economic race, said the bloc’s competition chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/c975fe85-2...
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/c975fe85-2...
EU will lose ‘race to the bottom’ on regulation, says competition chief
[FREE TO READ] Teresa Ribera says Europe’s competitiveness depends on resisting calls to roll back rules
as.ft.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
The EU needs to stand behind its digital rule book and green standards while deepening the single market to ensure the EU remained competitive in a global economic race, said the bloc’s competition chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/c975fe85-2...
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/c975fe85-2...
Reposted by Barbara Moens
Brussels to open formal investigation into Italy today, to assess whether Rome's "golden powers" to block mergers break EU law
top scoop from crack team @bmoens.bsky.social @paolatamma.bsky.social @amykazmin.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4phhTt8
top scoop from crack team @bmoens.bsky.social @paolatamma.bsky.social @amykazmin.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4phhTt8
Brussels to challenge Meloni over ‘golden power’ to stop foreign mergers
[FREE TO READ] European Commission believes Rome’s regulations enabling it to scrutinise foreign takeovers may breach EU law
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Brussels to open formal investigation into Italy today, to assess whether Rome's "golden powers" to block mergers break EU law
top scoop from crack team @bmoens.bsky.social @paolatamma.bsky.social @amykazmin.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4phhTt8
top scoop from crack team @bmoens.bsky.social @paolatamma.bsky.social @amykazmin.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4phhTt8
Reposted by Barbara Moens
🤖 Can Brussels balance its desire to set guardrails for AI with its need to attract investment?
Must-read deep dive on how the EU botched its attempt to regulate artificial intelligence - and now is trying to desperately fix it, by @bmoens.bsky.social @melissahei.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4o59nws
Must-read deep dive on how the EU botched its attempt to regulate artificial intelligence - and now is trying to desperately fix it, by @bmoens.bsky.social @melissahei.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4o59nws
How the EU botched its attempt to regulate AI
[FREE TO READ] Can Brussels balance its desire to set the guardrails for tech with its need to attract investment?
on.ft.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:41 AM
🤖 Can Brussels balance its desire to set guardrails for AI with its need to attract investment?
Must-read deep dive on how the EU botched its attempt to regulate artificial intelligence - and now is trying to desperately fix it, by @bmoens.bsky.social @melissahei.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4o59nws
Must-read deep dive on how the EU botched its attempt to regulate artificial intelligence - and now is trying to desperately fix it, by @bmoens.bsky.social @melissahei.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4o59nws
Reposted by Barbara Moens
Brussels wants 10% of EU defence spending boom to be ploughed into home-grown "disruptive" military tech such as AI & quantum computing
"We have to of course look from where we are buying [defence] products," EU tech chief @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social tells @bmoens.bsky.social & I
on.ft.com/4r6V9Ol
"We have to of course look from where we are buying [defence] products," EU tech chief @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social tells @bmoens.bsky.social & I
on.ft.com/4r6V9Ol
Europe’s defence spending spree must fund domestic AI, official says
[FREE TO READ] Henna Virkkunen says 10% of investment should be directed to artificial intelligence and quantum computing developed in EU
on.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Brussels wants 10% of EU defence spending boom to be ploughed into home-grown "disruptive" military tech such as AI & quantum computing
"We have to of course look from where we are buying [defence] products," EU tech chief @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social tells @bmoens.bsky.social & I
on.ft.com/4r6V9Ol
"We have to of course look from where we are buying [defence] products," EU tech chief @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social tells @bmoens.bsky.social & I
on.ft.com/4r6V9Ol
Brussels is considering stronger rule of law safeguards for future entrants to prevent bringing "Trojan horses" into the EU, the bloc's enlargement chief @martakos.ec.europa.eu told the Financial Times.
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/9493...
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/9493...
New EU members could be put ‘on probation’, says official
Enlargement commissioner Marta Kos says bloc has to prevent Russian ‘Trojan horse’ behaviour from new entrants
www.ft.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Brussels is considering stronger rule of law safeguards for future entrants to prevent bringing "Trojan horses" into the EU, the bloc's enlargement chief @martakos.ec.europa.eu told the Financial Times.
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/9493...
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/9493...
Reposted by Barbara Moens
Meta and Apple are in the final stages of agreeing a deal with European regulators to change a range of business practices to settle antitrust cases with Brussels, as the US Big Tech groups seek to avoid a series of escalating fines.
Great scoop from @bmoens.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4q7W3d1
Great scoop from @bmoens.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4q7W3d1
Meta and Apple close to settling EU antitrust cases
[FREE TO READ] US Big Tech groups in final stages of agreeing deal with Brussels to avoid series of escalating fines
on.ft.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Meta and Apple are in the final stages of agreeing a deal with European regulators to change a range of business practices to settle antitrust cases with Brussels, as the US Big Tech groups seek to avoid a series of escalating fines.
Great scoop from @bmoens.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4q7W3d1
Great scoop from @bmoens.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4q7W3d1
The EU wants to reduce its tech reliance on US and China via a new Apply AI strategy, seen by the Financial Times, which promotes digital sovereignty.
The bloc warns AI can otherwise be “weaponised” by rivals.
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
on.ft.com/3WkfSjs
The bloc warns AI can otherwise be “weaponised” by rivals.
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
on.ft.com/3WkfSjs
EU pushes new AI strategy to reduce tech reliance on US and China
[FREE TO READ] Brussels to unveil plan targeting digital sovereignty as it warns technology can be ‘weaponised’ by geopolitical rivals
on.ft.com
October 5, 2025 at 5:32 AM
The EU wants to reduce its tech reliance on US and China via a new Apply AI strategy, seen by the Financial Times, which promotes digital sovereignty.
The bloc warns AI can otherwise be “weaponised” by rivals.
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
on.ft.com/3WkfSjs
The bloc warns AI can otherwise be “weaponised” by rivals.
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
on.ft.com/3WkfSjs
The EU is preparing to start technical work on Ukraine and Moldova joining the bloc despite Hungary’s blockade of advancing accession talks, according to officials briefed on the process.
With @henryjfoy.ft.com @benhallnews.bsky.social @christopherjm.ft.com
on.ft.com/3IGHwnE
With @henryjfoy.ft.com @benhallnews.bsky.social @christopherjm.ft.com
on.ft.com/3IGHwnE
EU moves to advance Ukraine’s accession by sidestepping Hungary
[FREE TO READ] Brussels advises Kyiv to advance technical work despite Budapest holding up talks
on.ft.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:35 AM
The EU is preparing to start technical work on Ukraine and Moldova joining the bloc despite Hungary’s blockade of advancing accession talks, according to officials briefed on the process.
With @henryjfoy.ft.com @benhallnews.bsky.social @christopherjm.ft.com
on.ft.com/3IGHwnE
With @henryjfoy.ft.com @benhallnews.bsky.social @christopherjm.ft.com
on.ft.com/3IGHwnE
Reposted by Barbara Moens
Prove your rules don’t target US tech or fix them, Trump’s ambassador to Brussels warns EU
“Obviously, if we’re going to have a good relationship going forward, you can’t have legislation that punishes... your ally,” Andrew Puzder tells @financialtimes.com
w @bmoens.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4nUQVXH
“Obviously, if we’re going to have a good relationship going forward, you can’t have legislation that punishes... your ally,” Andrew Puzder tells @financialtimes.com
w @bmoens.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4nUQVXH
Brussels told to prove digital rules do not ‘punish’ US tech or fix them
[FREE TO READ] Donald Trump’s ambassador to EU says no US president can ‘allow these kinds of infringements’ on American companies
on.ft.com
September 28, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Prove your rules don’t target US tech or fix them, Trump’s ambassador to Brussels warns EU
“Obviously, if we’re going to have a good relationship going forward, you can’t have legislation that punishes... your ally,” Andrew Puzder tells @financialtimes.com
w @bmoens.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4nUQVXH
“Obviously, if we’re going to have a good relationship going forward, you can’t have legislation that punishes... your ally,” Andrew Puzder tells @financialtimes.com
w @bmoens.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4nUQVXH
Reposted by Barbara Moens
(Another) big digital EU-US scoop from @bmoens.bsky.social
EU targets Apple, Google and Microsoft over online financial scams, as Brussels probes US Big Tech groups and Booking Holdings over handling of fake apps and search results - despite Trump's ire at EU tech regulation
on.ft.com/46OYxoJ
EU targets Apple, Google and Microsoft over online financial scams, as Brussels probes US Big Tech groups and Booking Holdings over handling of fake apps and search results - despite Trump's ire at EU tech regulation
on.ft.com/46OYxoJ
EU targets Apple, Google and Microsoft over online financial scams
[FREE TO READ] Brussels to look closer into US Big Tech groups and Booking Holdings over handling of fake apps and search results
on.ft.com
September 23, 2025 at 10:29 AM
(Another) big digital EU-US scoop from @bmoens.bsky.social
EU targets Apple, Google and Microsoft over online financial scams, as Brussels probes US Big Tech groups and Booking Holdings over handling of fake apps and search results - despite Trump's ire at EU tech regulation
on.ft.com/46OYxoJ
EU targets Apple, Google and Microsoft over online financial scams, as Brussels probes US Big Tech groups and Booking Holdings over handling of fake apps and search results - despite Trump's ire at EU tech regulation
on.ft.com/46OYxoJ
Reposted by Barbara Moens
Big story in the battle between Brussels and Big Tech:
The EU is poised to exclude Meta, Apple, Google and Amazon from a new system to share citizens’ financial data, in the face of Trump’s retaliation threats
@bmoens.bsky.social & @paolatamma.bsky.social with the news
on.ft.com/46tA9Yv
The EU is poised to exclude Meta, Apple, Google and Amazon from a new system to share citizens’ financial data, in the face of Trump’s retaliation threats
@bmoens.bsky.social & @paolatamma.bsky.social with the news
on.ft.com/46tA9Yv
EU to block Big Tech from new financial data sharing system
[FREE TO READ] Germany argues groups such as Apple and Meta are excluded to protect Europe’s ‘digital sovereignty’
on.ft.com
September 21, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Big story in the battle between Brussels and Big Tech:
The EU is poised to exclude Meta, Apple, Google and Amazon from a new system to share citizens’ financial data, in the face of Trump’s retaliation threats
@bmoens.bsky.social & @paolatamma.bsky.social with the news
on.ft.com/46tA9Yv
The EU is poised to exclude Meta, Apple, Google and Amazon from a new system to share citizens’ financial data, in the face of Trump’s retaliation threats
@bmoens.bsky.social & @paolatamma.bsky.social with the news
on.ft.com/46tA9Yv
Reposted by Barbara Moens
Draghi puts the boot into Brussels, blaming "inaction", "inertia" and "complacency" for failing to implement economic reforms that mean the EU has fallen further behind global rivals such as China & the US
on.ft.com/48hey86
w crack competitiveness crew @bmoens.bsky.social & @paolatamma.bsky.social
on.ft.com/48hey86
w crack competitiveness crew @bmoens.bsky.social & @paolatamma.bsky.social
EU economy falls behind global rivals due to ‘complacency’, warns Mario Draghi
[FREE TO READ] Former Italian PM frustrated with ‘inaction’ a year after his report on how to improve Europe’s competitiveness
on.ft.com
September 16, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Draghi puts the boot into Brussels, blaming "inaction", "inertia" and "complacency" for failing to implement economic reforms that mean the EU has fallen further behind global rivals such as China & the US
on.ft.com/48hey86
w crack competitiveness crew @bmoens.bsky.social & @paolatamma.bsky.social
on.ft.com/48hey86
w crack competitiveness crew @bmoens.bsky.social & @paolatamma.bsky.social