Safeguarding the EU Single Market: Defending Open and Fair Competition
10 November 2025METRO calls for stronger EU action to protect the Single Market from national price interventions and trade barriers that threaten fair competition and free movement of goods.
The European Single Market is one of the EU’s greatest achievements, built on the principles of openness, fair competition, and the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital. These foundations have ensured prosperity and stability for citizens and businesses. However, recent developments in several Member States increasingly contradict these principles and lead to the fragmentation of the Single Market.
In countries such as Croatia, Hungary, and Bulgaria, governments have introduced or proposed measures like price caps, margin limits, and local sourcing obligations that interfere with market freedom. While framed as measures to protect consumers, these interventions distort competition, undermine legal certainty, and limit commercial freedom. The European Court of Justice has already ruled that such national price controls violate EU law - confirming the need for stronger enforcement of the Treaties.
For METRO, as a company deeply rooted in the EU Single Market, maintaining open and competitive markets is essential to continue serving millions of professional customers - from restaurants and hotels to independent traders - with reliable supply chains and fair prices. Evidence shows that Member States that avoided market interventions experienced lower inflation and stronger growth, demonstrating that free competition, not strict regulation, is the best safeguard for consumers.
METRO therefore calls on the European Commission to act decisively: enforce Single Market rules, prevent new national barriers, and ensure legal clarity by following up on the ECJ ruling against Hungary. Protecting the Single Market from fragmentation is vital for EU’s competitiveness, economic resilience, and long-term prosperity.